October 10, 2024
BENECO Election Postponement
City High Years
National Geographic
MCO Regrets
Why Titanic Mania Lives
Willy’s Jeep
Titan
Titan Minisub
Hope Never Surrenders
One Question, One Member, One Vote
Slowly and Steadily
“Alice in Wonderland”
Magalong and MSL
Writing in the Dark
BENECO District Elections 2023
Vindication
The Rise and Fall of ECMCO United
“MSL is my GM”
General Membership
No Substitute for Elections
Evidentiary “MCO SELFIE”
Empowering the BENECO MCO
NEA’s Conceptual Hook
The BENECO Surrender 2
Legal Post Classifications
BENECO Controversy Topics
The BENECO Surrender
A photograph speaks a million words
Conversion and Privatization
Explore Baguio with a Bike
Failure of AI
Preserving CJH
Skating Rink
NEA’s Hiring Process
BgCur
Camp John Hay Nostalgia
Camp John Hay Mile High Memories
NEA’s Mandate
Camp John Hay TV
NEA and BENECO Should Come Clean
John Hay’s Top Soil
Big Screens at John Hay
The Browning of Camp John Hay
Putin
The Beginning of the Age of Brainwashing
Baguio shouldn’t build skyscrapers
The MURDER of pine trees goes unabated
We were “toy soldiers” in 1979
S1E70
S1E69
attyjoeldizon@gmail.com
Baguio City, Philippines

Posts Page

2023
Jun
29

BENECO Election Postponement

I agree that what’s happening right now in central Negros is a portent of things to come in Benguet.

Their electric cooperative CENECO will be taken over by a private investor, which has already announced its attrition policy for gradually replacing the rank-and-file with their own people.

2023
Jun
28

City High Years

As long as I was re-immersing myself in retro-70s and 80s nostalgia in this series of posts about my “City High” years, I thought—why not? An era is not just about stories you can still recall. It’s really also about appreciating your

2023
Jun
28

National Geographic

Why are people (such as myself) still obsessing about the wreck of this “unsinkable ship” more than 111 years after it slipped into the bottom of the North Atlantic ocean?

2023
Jun
26

MCO Regrets

I agree that what’s happening right now in central Negros is a portent of things to come in Benguet.

Their electric cooperative CENECO will be taken over by a private investor, which has already announced its attrition policy for gradually replacing the rank-and-file with their own people.

2023
Jun
25

Why Titanic Mania Lives

Why are people (such as myself) still obsessing about the wreck of this “unsinkable ship” more than 111 years after it slipped into the bottom of the North Atlantic ocean?

2023
Jun
24

Willy’s Jeep

I looked around campus but I didn’t find it. At the last grand alumni homecoming reunion of my high school (Baguio City High School) last May, I went out of my way to look for an old white 1963 Willy’s jeepwagon that

2023
Jun
24

Titan

I’m hearing so much of this “I-told-you-so” and “I-knew-it” kind of reactions to the tragedy that bookended the saga of the Ocean Gate minisub TITAN.

All five of its crew and passengers died in what the US Navy described as a “catastrophic implosion” that may have occurred not too long after the Titan lost communication with its mother ship on Sunday, June 18.

2023
Jun
23

Titan Minisub

I’m aware that three of the passengers in that stricken submersible Ocean Gate Titan are billionaires. I see no point in naming them because I doubt that you or I know any of them.

Missing for five days now, optimism is dwindling that they could still be found and rescued in time before they run out of breathing oxygen.

2023
Jun
22

Hope Never Surrenders

I’m aware that three of the passengers in that stricken submersible Ocean Gate Titan are billionaires. I see no point in naming them because I doubt that you or I know any of them.

Missing for five days now, optimism is dwindling that they could still be found and rescued in time before they run out of breathing oxygen.

2023
Jun
10

One Question, One Member, One Vote

I think it would be futile to expect that the AGMA would be an occasion to “express their strong opinion” about the wrong way that BENECO’s affairs are going, or even to denounce persons they think are responsible for ruining their cooperative.

No one, least of all the Interim Board appointed by NEA, is interested in their opinion. The enforcers of NEA’s “step-in rights” to interfere with BENECO’ operations have their marching orders, and those are not subject to alteration by the Members’ grievances and sentiments.

2023
Jun
8

Slowly and Steadily

I think it would be futile to expect that the AGMA would be an occasion to “express their strong opinion” about the wrong way that BENECO’s affairs are going, or even to denounce persons they think are responsible for ruining their cooperative.

No one, least of all the Interim Board appointed by NEA, is interested in their opinion. The enforcers of NEA’s “step-in rights” to interfere with BENECO’ operations have their marching orders, and those are not subject to alteration by the Members’ grievances and sentiments.

2023
Jun
5

“Alice in Wonderland”

I think it would be futile to expect that the AGMA would be an occasion to “express their strong opinion” about the wrong way that BENECO’s affairs are going, or even to denounce persons they think are responsible for ruining their cooperative.

No one, least of all the Interim Board appointed by NEA, is interested in their opinion. The enforcers of NEA’s “step-in rights” to interfere with BENECO’ operations have their marching orders, and those are not subject to alteration by the Members’ grievances and sentiments.

2023
Jun
2

Magalong and MSL

He’d said again to a friend recently, as he had countless times before, “I never turn my back on my men in battle. I never abandon my people in the middle of a fight.”

Some call it the Magalong urban legend, or the PMA “mistah creed.” Whatever, Benjie has collected shrapnel scars over the years to prove it. Throughout his active tour of duty, he did stand in front of soldiers he commands. He did take a bullet or more for them, and in the flesh too not just in the flak jacket.

2023
May
31

Writing in the Dark

I think it would be futile to expect that the AGMA would be an occasion to “express their strong opinion” about the wrong way that BENECO’s affairs are going, or even to denounce persons they think are responsible for ruining their cooperative.

No one, least of all the Interim Board appointed by NEA, is interested in their opinion. The enforcers of NEA’s “step-in rights” to interfere with BENECO’ operations have their marching orders, and those are not subject to alteration by the Members’ grievances and sentiments.

2023
May
30

BENECO District Elections 2023

So why did NEA deal more harshly with the Magnificent Seven than Mel?

There is only one reason, and that reason is Mayor Benjie Bañez Magalong (“BBM” a tempting acronym to use, which I’d rather not.)

2023
May
29

Vindication

So why did NEA deal more harshly with the Magnificent Seven than Mel?

There is only one reason, and that reason is Mayor Benjie Bañez Magalong (“BBM” a tempting acronym to use, which I’d rather not.)

2023
May
28

The Rise and Fall of ECMCO United

So why did NEA deal more harshly with the Magnificent Seven than Mel?

There is only one reason, and that reason is Mayor Benjie Bañez Magalong (“BBM” a tempting acronym to use, which I’d rather not.)

2023
May
24

“MSL is my GM”

So why did NEA deal more harshly with the Magnificent Seven than Mel?

There is only one reason, and that reason is Mayor Benjie Bañez Magalong (“BBM” a tempting acronym to use, which I’d rather not.)

2023
May
23

General Membership

True, the interim board is a rubberstamp to approve all NEA initiatives, but it needs a rubberstamp of its own to rationalize its own existence—and that is the AGMA.

The only thing that can foil this plan is a massive—and I mean tidal wave massive—opposition by the general membership itself.

2023
May
20

No Substitute for Elections

True, the interim board is a rubberstamp to approve all NEA initiatives, but it needs a rubberstamp of its own to rationalize its own existence—and that is the AGMA.

The only thing that can foil this plan is a massive—and I mean tidal wave massive—opposition by the general membership itself.

2023
May
20

Evidentiary “MCO SELFIE”

True, the interim board is a rubberstamp to approve all NEA initiatives, but it needs a rubberstamp of its own to rationalize its own existence—and that is the AGMA.

The only thing that can foil this plan is a massive—and I mean tidal wave massive—opposition by the general membership itself.

2023
May
18

Empowering the BENECO MCO

True, the interim board is a rubberstamp to approve all NEA initiatives, but it needs a rubberstamp of its own to rationalize its own existence—and that is the AGMA.

The only thing that can foil this plan is a massive—and I mean tidal wave massive—opposition by the general membership itself.

2023
May
17

NEA’s Conceptual Hook

The conceptual “hook” that NEA used to inveigle public opinion so that many residents of Baguio and Benguet simply acquiesced to the virtual abolition of the regular BENECO Board was “massive corruption.”

Of course, any talk about fighting corruption will always get strong public support. Unfortunately, corruption is something very easy to allege but very hard to prove.

2023
May
12

The BENECO Surrender 2

As far as the MCO’s are concerned, the most prominent and most cantankerous of them, you cannot count on anymore. They all drank the KoolAid.

Now there’s less than three weeks—21 days—to quickly mount a countermove.

2023
May
5

A photograph speaks a million words

About the Author The author is a writer and lawyer based in Baguio City, Philippines. Former editor of the Gold Ore and Baguio City Digest, professor of journalism, political science and law at Baguio Colleges Foundation (BCF). He is a photographer and

2023
May
2

Conversion and Privatization

It was not NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda’s discretion to set the duration of NEA’s intervention in BENECO’s operation to just six months. In fact, that’s what the law provides, in Sec. 21(d) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act

2023
Apr
30

Explore Baguio with a Bike

Explore Baguio with a Bike A motorcycle is the best way to explore Baguio City if you have a limited time to do it. Unfortunately, we don’t have rental bike services in this city yet (PLEASE, somebody correct me, I’ll be the

2023
Apr
28

Failure of AI

The Failure of Artificial Intelligence This time they did it—they crossed the red line. Advocates for “artificial intelligence” ended up with egg on their faces after a German tabloid, the weekly Die Aktuelle, published an “interview” of former Formula One world champion

2023
Apr
28

Preserving CJH

Preserving CJH One other undeclared role that Camp John Hay served was as an ecological preserve. In 1987 what was thought to be the last mountain cloud rat (locally named “yutyut”) was caught off “Little Mermaid” garden, below Scout Hill by a

2023
Apr
28

Skating Rink

Skating Rink at CJH Indoor rollerskating in Camp John Hay was almost a rite of passage when we were in high school. My classmates and I from Baguio City High School (BCHS) would save up our daily allowance—don’t laugh now but back

2023
Apr
28

NEA’s Hiring Process

NEA’s Hiring Process Can anybody stop NEA from opening the selection and hiring process for a new BENECO General Manager? The better question is, WHY would anybody want to stop NEA from doing that—hire a new GM through the compliant cooperation of

2023
Apr
25

BgCur

Can BENECO Complete its emergency Landing? ADVANCE DISCLOSURE: I make no claim whatsoever that everything I say here are facts. This is to save time for all those sanctimonious fact-twisters out there who I know will go through this article with a

2023
Apr
16

Camp John Hay Nostalgia

“Why the sudden interest on Camp John Hay? You’ve been writing about it almost as passionately as you did about BENECO the past several days…” is the most common question I’ve been asked several times lately. “By the way, what happened to

2023
Apr
14

Camp John Hay Mile High Memories

While Christine and I were doing our regular “cardio” walkaround in Camp John Hay last weekend, I spied on a little sign near Scout Hill that indicated the direction to what it claimed to be the “historical core” of Camp John Hay.

2023
Apr
12

NEA’s Mandate

“The NEA shall immediately step-in and take over from its Board the operations of any ailing electric cooperative. Within a reasonable period after take-over, the NEA may convert the ailing cooperative to either a stock cooperative registered with the CDA or a

2023
Apr
12

Camp John Hay TV

The Philippines was under Spanish colonial rule for 327 years (1571-1898) and under American rule for just 47 years (1898-1946). So the joke goes we spent three centuries in cloistered convent, and less than retirement age in Hollywood. And yet look at

2023
Apr
10

NEA and BENECO Should Come Clean

“The NEA shall immediately step-in and take over from its Board the operations of any ailing electric cooperative. Within a reasonable period after take-over, the NEA may convert the ailing cooperative to either a stock cooperative registered with the CDA or a

2023
Apr
10

John Hay’s Top Soil

When we were young Boy Scouts in Baguio Central School in the 70s, my schoolmates and I looked forward to October Scouting Month with much anticipation and excitement. Only once a year do we ever get to see what Camp John Hay

2023
Apr
10

Big Screens at John Hay

The last movie I watched in Camp John Hay Theater was “Mommie Dearest” starring Faye Dunaway. It was a screen adaptation of actress Joan Crawford’s biography, as retold by her tormented adoptive children Christina and Christopher Crawford. It was one of the

2023
Apr
9

The Browning of Camp John Hay

There were a lot of ‘back stories’ surrounding the complete withdrawal of US forces from the former American military bases in Subic, Clark and Camp John Hay that never made it the front page of newspapers, both national and local. Mostly, the

2023
Mar
18

Putin

It cannot be just “play warrant of arrest” Few will dispute that Russian President Vladimir Putin committed crimes against humanity when he invaded Ukraine. But as horrible as the Russian war against Ukraine has already been, in terms of civilian casualties, it

2022
Sep
21

The Beginning of the Age of Brainwashing

September 21, 1972: The Beginning of the Age of Brainwashing September 21, 1972 was a day like any other in my carefree childhood years growing up in a peaceful city like Baguio. I was in the Grade Two, Section 2 class of

2022
Aug
1

Baguio shouldn’t build skyscrapers

Baguio shouldn’t build skyscrapers The jolting earthquake on July 27, 2022 is causing residents to revisit concerns about survivability in the nation’s summer capital in the event of another ‘killer quake.’ Specifically, it is reviving the question should Baguio City have high-rise

2022
Jun
20

The MURDER of pine trees goes unabated

The MURDER of pine trees goes unabated The practice has NOT stopped. Land developers (there’s another contradiction in terms) wanting to eliminate a big hindrance to their plans are still killing PINE TREES in Baguio City the same effective way they invented:

2022
Jun
5

We were “toy soldiers” in 1979

We were “toy soldiers” in 1979 I experienced Citizens Army Training (CAT) in high school in 1979 in Baguio City High School (BCHS). I can’t remember if my batchmates and I ever understood that it had anything to do with martial law.

2022
Mar
23

S1E70

S1E70 – Redeeming the Institution: BARANGAY The myth of this “Golden Age” of the martial law years has been so thoroughly debunked in social media even the Marcos campaign has virtually dropped it. Instead of a vote-magnet it became a deadweight to

2022
Mar
13

S1E69

S1E69 – How dare you doubt PAGASA’s weather forecasts? Good evening class. Please bring out your umbrellas, if you brought one. I am going to go around the classroom and inspect your readiness to cope with inclement weather–like some scattered showers and

2022
Mar
8

S1E68

S1E68 – The true essence of the “Rule of Law” Where is Miss Carla Adaawan?” I picked out a particular student because I knew she is from Tabuk City, which is in Kalinga province. This province was particularly significant during martial law

2022
Mar
1

S1E67

S1E67 – Exploiting the confusion created by the “fog of war” The action of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) in appointing Ana Maria Rafael as general manager of Benguet Electric Cooperative is illegal because it violates Section 26-B of P.D. 269. That

2022
Feb
24

S1E66

S1E66 – I respect your opinion because it’s your God Good, evening class. Tonight I want to talk more about the freedom of thought and of free opinion. You read about it all the time on social media. Everybody demands that you

2022
Feb
13

S1E65

S1E65 – You want a TRO? Show me the money! What is the meaning of freedom?” I began the evening’s lecture by asking my students a question for which there is no universal answer. “Imagine this class—we keep saying that laws exist

2022
Feb
4

S1E64

S1E64 – Was there really a Golden Age of Philippine agriculture? Miss Joanna Pis-o…from the land of the stonewalled rice terraces of Barlig, Mountain Province, in the central Cordilleras, are you present?” “Yes, sir, present! I certainly correspond to that long geocultural

2022
Feb
1

S1E63

S1E3 – Studying all the Queen’s Gambit Moves for Sara There’s so much talk about Sara Duterte becoming president if Bongbong Marcos is disqualified. There’s even a conspiracy theory that this is the reason why the COMELEC is delaying the decision in

2022
Jan
31

S1E62

S1E62 – Mandatory military training for all citizens, anyone? Miss Carla Adaawan?” The girl from Tabuk City looked up from oogling at her smartphone at the start of the evening’s class. I don’t know what startled her—that I suddenly called on her

2022
Jan
28

S1L61

S1E61- What would Jesus say about electric cooperatives? I walked into the classroom holding nothing in my hands—no classcards, no index cards or lecture notes on yellowpad. I even left my chalkbox and blackboard eraser in the faculty lounge. Instantly I could

2022
Jan
21

S1L60

S1E60 – Again I predict BBM will NOT be disqualified For the second time, I will go out on a limb again and say, NO they will not disqualify BongBong Marcos—not even in the three remaining disqualification cases pending before the First

2022
Jan
15

S1L59

S1L59 – The Paradox of Loans Tonight, class, I want everybody to get a firm grip of their understanding of the concept of a LOAN. And I don’t just mean your ordinary ‘commodity loan’ like some money you borrow from a bank

2022
Jan
13

S1L58

S1L58 – Breaking down the Myth of Super-Untouchable Regulators Why is it not possible to sue the State? This is a question I have often been asked by my students, both in Political Science in the undergraduate program and in the College

2022
Jan
11

S1L57

S1L57 ; Public office is a public trust, fake diplomas don’t count Good evening, class…” “Good evening, sir!” my Alpha Section class seemed totally refreshed by the long Christmas break, they looked ready to recite. I, on the other hand, was ready

2022
Jan
9

S1L56

S1L56 – COMELEC will not disqualify Bongbong Marcos Of course the COMELEC will not disqualify Bongbong Marcos. He is one of only two viable presidential candidates and, arguably, the front-running one. Yes, there is ground to disqualify him. But I don’t think

2022
Jan
8

S1L55

S1L55 – No such thing as a ‘one-man- BENECO Board Hellooo Professor! Happy Three Kings! We didn’t know you liked playing billiards!” I was greeted by some painfully-familiar faces from Alpha Section when I thought I’d try some pool games at a

2022
Jan
5

S1L54

S1L54 – The Al Capone Lesson: there’s more than one way to skin a cat Helloooo there, Professor!! Happy New Year! We didn’t know you liked boating!” Déjà vu? This can’t be happening—Deema, Kata, Laarnee, Juan and Jack together again?? And I

2022
Jan
3

S1L53

S1L53 – Learning what a “valid appointment” is on a ferriswheel Hello, professor! Happy New Year! We didn’t know you liked riding the ferriswheel!” What are the odds I would find five of my students in the same place, lining up to

2022
Jan
1

S1L52

S1L52 – Is it still safe to do banking in Baguio? Some banks have completely lost their bearing and have forgotten many fundamental elements of the contract between them and their depositors. What are some of these basics? To start off, a

2021
Dec
27

S1L51

S1L51 – Overseas Absentee Voting Mommy Dionisia! Fancy meeting you here in the mall! Merry Christmas po!” I was so happy to see my oldest student gallivanting around the mall, enjoying the holidays like everybody else. “Merry Christmas, Prof! Are you here

2021
Dec
24

S1L50

S1L50 – “The Thirteenth Month Pay” Law Miss Deema Niwala, on your feet…” After looking around the classroom and making sure there was no possibility of any other person answering to the same name, this girl from Tublay finally rose her feet,

2021
Dec
23

S1L49

S1L49 – The “Political Question” Doctrine Miss Carla Nalukay-nalipit?” “ADDAAWAN, SIR!!!” “I’m sorry, Miss Addaawan. I keep forgetting…” This is my student from Tabuk City, Kalinga whose name is structured after the Korean ethos of “yin-yang” –her name connotes both presence and

2021
Dec
19

S1L48

S1L48 – “Social Activism” introducing Miss Laarnee Iwasan Things didn’t go so bad the last time I used my new ‘policy’ of calling students for recitation LAST NAME first. So I think I’ll stick to that policy. “Is Mister or Miss Iwasan

2021
Dec
18

S1L47

S1L47 – The danger of compulsory SIM card registration There’s a grain of truth in the common criticism that congressional investigations done “in aid of legislation” have little to show for real accomplishments in the end. Congress justifies these investigations by saying

2021
Dec
17

S1L46

S1L46 – “Place of birth” The debut of twins Glad and Gladys (Joy and Joyce) Why not?” I thought. Alpha Section is a small class, only 25 “survivors” by the midterm, 5 had dropped out since Prelims. I can certainly call the

2021
Dec
15

S1L45

S1L45 – “Intellectual Property” The debut of Miss Julyrain Arpeggio I decided to pull a classcard “blind” just to really be able to call on someone with the highest degree of randomness. “Miss Julia Regina Arpeggio?” Wow, I thought, at last a

2021
Dec
14

S1L44

S1L44 – “Legitimization through adoption” The debut of Miss Grippa Baligtaran I’ve been thinking—it’s almost midterm and I still have only called about eight people to recite. The rest have been able to “escape”—but not for long! I looked for the classcards

2021
Dec
12

S1L43

S1L43 – “Critique of E.O. 156” – Ms. Kata Explains False Syllogism Miss Kata Ngahan, are you in?” “Present in body and spirit, sir!” “Miss Kata, you taught creative writing before didn’t you? I read it in your Facebook…” I braced for

2021
Dec
11

Break01

Deema’s Birthday! – International Human Rights Day is Miss Deema’s birthday The United Nations general assembly created the High Commission on Human Rights and started celebrating December 10 as International Human Rights Day in 1948. That’s the summary of my lecture for

2021
Dec
9

S1L42

S1L42 – “Leni and the Android Operating System” Signs that the future has arrived Mr. Jack Makataruz, are you present?” “Present, sir!” my punk -hairstyled student sprung to his feet. “You know, Jack, you give a whole new meaning to the phrase

2021
Dec
7

S1L41

S1L41 – Meaning of a Simple Contract, feat. Miss Joanna Pis-O from Barlig When you’re a 58-year old law professor and your students are millennials HALF your age, it can be a challenge to keep up with their language and mannerisms. But

2021
Dec
4

S1L40

S1L40 – “What’s a lucid interval?” as distinguished from temporary insanity Good evening ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our class tonight. I will be your instructor and it is my honor to impart some useful information to all of you tonight that,

2021
Dec
3

S1L39

S1L39 – “Solutio Indebiti” Miss Deema is a Nurse! I moved to Baguio City in 1967 when I was 3 years old. My mother was a single parent—or not exactly a single parent, I just had a “non-resident” father who came up

2021
Dec
2

S1L38

S1L38 – Petition for Change of Name, feat. Miss Joanna Pis-O from Barlig There are times when I’m not so prepared coming to class but I’ve learned the trick of how to deal with that. Have a short lecture in mind, call

2021
Nov
30

S1L37

S1L37 – Grilling Lessons from Deema: How to crossexamine without tricks Mister Cabo Buhan, are you alive?” This is my only student with a premed background. He comes from Dagupan City, Pangasinan. “I am over here sir, quietly metabolizing glucose…” He also

2021
Nov
29

S1L36

S1L36 – Ethnicity, Nationality, Citizenship, Identity and Domicile, feat. Miss Hannah Maala from Buguias Miss Palindrome, are you around?” Hannah Maala sprung to her feet, she knew right away I was referring to her. “Present, sir!” “Hehehe…Miss Maala, your middle initial written

2021
Nov
28

S1L35

S1L35 – Women Empowerment, feat. Miss Carla Addaawan from Tabuk City A law class is an ideal environment to immerse yourself in current events and issues, something I encourage my students to do. Law is dynamic, you don’t study law in a

2021
Nov
27

S1L34

S1L34 – The “Regalian Doctrine” and the Modern Colonizers of the iBenguets Juan Dimacaawat, are you present?” “Yes, sir!” “Let’s talk a little history, Mr. Dimacaawat. Imagine that you were already a lawyer in March 16, 1521…” “Sir, no imagination is necessary,

2021
Nov
26

S1L33

S1L33 – “Conflict of Interest” Involving a Public Prosecutor This evening class I want to discuss a very controversial and contentious topic: judicial independence and the integrity of the criminal-justice system.” The whole class went, “Ooooooh…!” “Facts—a judge in Cawatan City, which

2021
Nov
25

S1L32

S1L32 – The UNCLOS Ruling in favor of the Philippines, introducing Miss Hannah Maala from Buguias Mister Jack Makataruz, tumakder…!” “Yes, sir!” “Facts—three Chinese coast guard vessels intercepted two Philippine boats on the West Philippine Sea. The Chinese boats used high-pressure water

2021
Nov
23

S1L31

S1L31 – “Surveys are Self-serving Predictions”, feat. Miss Deema When I’m alone in my office in the afternoon (about 90% of Zoom hearings are held in the morning) I use the “me time” to catch up on the news on the internet.

2021
Nov
22

S1L30

S1L30 – The Right of Suffrage and the Duck in the Cockpit, introducing Mr. Hilong Talilong As I’m shuffling classcards for another recitation, I noticed a few classcards that look very new—I suppose there are some students that I have never called

2021
Nov
21

S1L29

S1L29 – Blind Items and the law on Libel Blind items are an item again nowadays after President Duterte exploded his “bomb” about a presidential candidate snorting cocaine. In Ilocano there’s a saying “nu sino mangan sili isu magasangan” (or maybe it’s

2021
Nov
19

S1L28

S1L28 – The Inherent Defects of Republican Democracy that sent Miss Deema crying Mr. Juan Dimacaawat, will you please count how many of you are here?” After a minute Juan reported, “We are twenty, sir.” “Alright, listen class. I prepared four lectures

2021
Nov
19

S1L27

S1L27 – The 3 D’s in Estafa: Deceit, Damage and Discovery, feat. Mommy Dionisia In Baguio City, law classes meet in the evening, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm although I once famously “punished” a class by lecturing until 11:00 PM. Evening classes

2021
Nov
18

S1L26

S1L26 – The Doctrine of Forgiveness, feat. Miss Kata Ngahan Miss Kata Ngahan, are you around…?” “I’m present, sir. I never miss your class, it’s a pleasure and a signal pride for me to be sitting here and learning from a consummate

2021
Nov
17

S1L25

S1L25 – Lawyers are cool and fashionable, feat. Mohawk-hairstyled Jack Makataruz from Bauko A law class is not always about discussions of legal doctrines and principles. A law class is a dynamic mini-society which is really a microcosm of the community itself.

2021
Nov
16

S1L24

S1L24 – Why Lawyers love to say things in Latin, Juan Dimacaawat hits on Miss Deema Niwala Law is general education. That’s why there is really no such thing as the most ideal pre-law preparation. My students come from diverse under-grad backgrounds.

2021
Nov
16

S1L23

S1L23 – Admissions and Denials, feat. Miss Deema Niwala Miss Deema Niwala, are you around?” “I’m here, sir. I’m always present. In fact, I always sit in front and you barely take notice of my presence.” This is one of those great

2021
Nov
15

S1L22

S1L22 – Basic Criminal Law concepts, feat. Mr. Juan Dimacaawat Mr. Juan Dimacaawat, stand up please…” “Yes, sir!” Something I always admired about this particular law student of mine is he never comes to class with tons of books or notebooks in

2021
Nov
14

S1NCL21

Why banks betray smaller clients over bigger ones Semester 1 Non-class lecture 21 Truth be told, not all of my teachings happen in a classroom situation. Sometimes law students ambush me in the cafeteria and ruin my lunch, or merienda, by asking

2021
Nov
12

S1L20

S1L20 – Natural and Juridical Persons Mr. Juan Dimacaawat, are you present?” I surveyed the classroom looking for my favorite law student. He just barely managed go barge into the classroom, sweating like a pig from running to make it in time

2021
Nov
12

S1L19

S1L19 – Can a bank just freeze your account? I do legal education in my Facebook account, and on my webpage, but not legal counselling. So for those who have asked me if they should close their bank accounts with BPI, PNB,

2021
Nov
11

S1L18

S1L18 – BENECO Lawyers go up against NEA over “Rule of Law” If you ask me what was the first critical blunder of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) in its ill-fated effort to takeover BENECO, it would be this: it underestimated the

2021
Nov
9

S1L17

S1L17 – How the public is being hypnotized into surrendering BENECO In the land of the blind, the one-eyed is king. What this old adage means, to me, is that men obtain power because they see what others cannot. A more cynical

2021
Nov
9

S1L16

S1L16 – How to guard yourself against cyberlibel, introducing Juan Dimacaawat Mister Juan Dimacaawat, are you around?” My favorite law student is a stocky fellow from Mankayan, Benguet, the son of a retired miner who now owns a welding shop fabricating “ball

2021
Nov
8

S1L15

S1L15 – Everything that “Persona Non Grata” Resolution means or does not mean One of the myths that law students are able to dispel quickly is the popular impression that their law professors know everything. They hold them in such high esteem

2021
Nov
7

S1L14

S1L14 – The Difference between “power of control” and “supervision”” This is potentially boring stuff unless you’re sick and tired of people who talk like they know everything about electric cooperatives, BENECO, and NEA—but are actually bluffing and just trying to impress

2021
Nov
7

S1L13

S1L13 – The Courts: Where trolls and bashers cannot prevail I am biased for litigation, but on a practical level I would do everything to try to avoid going to trial. It’s too costly, stressful and time-consuming. And you never really attain

2021
Nov
6

S1L12

S1L12 – How BENECO’s valiant MCO’s are like Masadans, outnumbered but not outfought The siege of Masada was one of the final events in the First Jewish–Roman War which raged from 73 to 74 A.D. On a high plateau above the plains

2021
Nov
5

S1L11

S1L11 – Rebellion has no penalty if the rebels win I’m shuffling classcards again for today’s class recitation….Juan Dimacaawat? “Present, sir!” Alright, Mr. Dimacaawat. Please read Art. 135 of your Revised Penal Code. “Any person who promotes, maintains or heads a rebellion

2021
Nov
5

S1L10

S1L10 – Desperate NEA Resorts to Red-tagging Mia Magdalena In July 2018, the Philippine government deported 71-year old Australian Missionary nun Sister Patricia Fox, oblivious of the fact she had lived in the Philippines for more than 27 years. She spoke Cebuano,

2021
Nov
4

S1L9

S1L9 – Quantifying the Enormous Voting Strength of MCO Power This is an interesting number to ponder: 138,000. That’s the number of member-consumer-owners (MCO’s) of BENECO as of the end of September 2021. Baguio City has 164,125 registered voters. In other words,

2021
Nov
4

S1L8

S1L8 – “Trapos” panicked by the rise of MCO Power Now, it’s giving shifty politicos a migraine—this belated awareness that the BENECO member-consumer-owners (MCO’s) just might be an even bigger bailiwick than the INK and the Catholics combined. Politico A: “Naku, patay

2021
Nov
3

S1L7

S1L7 – The Most Potent Basis of Consumer power: OWNERSHIP When American Idol Season 1 Champion Kelly Clarkson sang, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” she could very well have been singing about what’s happening in BENECO today. Before NEA launched

2021
Nov
2

S1L6

S1L6 – How to interpret law using “Ejusdem Generis” To my law students in the college of law and in the Facebook School of Law: What is meant by “EJUSDEM GENERIS?” It’s a rule in statutory construction—which, by the way, has nothing

2021
Oct
31

S1L5

S1L5 – NEA is Applying the Doctrine of “Presumption of Regularity” Totally wrong January (Bar Exam) is just around the corner. We have very little time to cram as much information as we can into our law students’ heads. So for those

2021
Oct
30

S1L4

S1L4 – The Failure of Diligence of PNB over BENECO’s Money This is for my law students preparing for the Bar. This is on Banking Laws and Procedures (Debit Transactions): QUESTION: Can BENECO recover the one million pesos withdrawn from its account

2021
Oct
29

S1L3

S1L3 – Senate Probe of NEA will expose its Derelect Relevance So there’s going to be a Senate investigation into this worsening anarchy that the National Electrification Administration (NEA) is fomenting in Baguio and Benguet in its hungry grab for BENECO. When

2021
Oct
29

S1L2

S1L2 – NEA’s red-tagging strategy will backfire and spook the business community Everyone in Baguio should be alarmed by the red-tagging strategy that NEA has unwisely decided to include in its arsenal of weapons against BENECO. The business community, in particular, should

2021
Oct
29

S1L1

S1L1 – How the “Rule of Law” is perverted mimics a pro-wrestling match The best way to understand how the “rule of law” is perverted is to watch any professional wrestling match on YouTube. Pick any match where the two opponents wear

2021
Oct
26

PSF50

Pre-Semester Frontier Post 50 (Facebook’s “Artificial Intelligence” Failing to Protect MCO Accounts) Artificial intelligence” (AI) is another one of those contradiction in terms you will inevitably have the pure annoyance of running into these days. All social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube,

2021
Oct
25

PSF49

Pre-Semester Frontier Post 49 Persona non grata” literally translates to “an unwelcome person” in Latin. It’s not a crime, so it has no penalty. It’s neither a judgment nor a decision handed down by a court, so it cannot be executed. It

2021
Oct
23

PSNL48

“Dura Lex Sed Lex”Pre-Semester Non-classroom Lecture 48 Laws would be meaningless without courts. Laws tell you what your rights are. But your rights end where my rights begin. It is the court that draws the line between us. Without that clear separating

2021
Oct
23

PSF 47

Why Baguio and Benguet people resent NEA’s High-handednessPre-Semester Frontier Post 47 There’s an underlying reason why the brazen attempt of NEA to takeover BENECO is generating so much public outrage, helping galvanize opposition to what many see as a naked power grab—no

2021
Oct
22

PSNLA 46

A Day that will life in Infamy for NEAPre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 46 That shameful blitzkrieg carried out by NEA in South Drive on October 18, 2021 was not just a shortlived takeover of BENECO’s premises. It was the beginning of a long

2021
Oct
22

PSNLA 45

PNB has reasons to be worriedPre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 45 If I were PNB Baguio I would be afraid. I would be VERY afraid. They allowed a third party to withdraw ONE MILLION PESOS from an account of a depositor—BENECO—without even informing the

2021
Oct
21

PSNLA 44

NEA’s Golden Girl May be Highly-achieved, but she’s still UNQUALIFIEDPre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 44 Qualification is a tricky issue. To run for President of the Philippines, you must be at least 40 years old, natural-born Filipino, able to read and write, a registered

2021
Oct
20

PSNLA 43

Why it’s crucial for BENECO to elect fresh officers or renew office termsPre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 43 Back in those days of my pathetic attempts to go to the gym, one of the guys wore a shirt that said “Your workout is my

2021
Oct
18

PSNLA 42

No one can afford to be in the sidelines in this BENECO fight, jwhen just being counted is enoughPre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 42 Someone asked me today, “what can I do about this BENECO crisis, especially now that men with guns are involved?”

2021
Oct
18

PSNLA 41

What even a little girl can do to help BENECOPre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 41 Tito, I feel so helpless and so little, so insignificant. I’m just a kid. What can I do?” Katherine, you’re 14 but you’re not playing computer games. Instead you’re

2021
Oct
18

PSNCL 40

Why Turning South Drive into a Hamlet is UNCONSTITUTIONALPre-Semester Non-classroom Lecture 40 This is for my law students preparing for the Bar (but, of course, since it’s a public post all are welcome to read it) A WARRANT—whether it be to effect

2021
Oct
18

PSNLA 39

Deputizing the PNP to execute a NON-JUDICIAL or NON-QUASI JUDICIAL ORDER is just PLAIN WRONGPre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 39 It might be the last straw to break the camel’s back. Throwing South Drive into a military hamlet sent a blood-curdling message down the

2021
Oct
17

PSNLA 38

Why NEA CANNOT just fire anybody in BENECO by mere publication Pre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 38 Again this is for my law students preparing for the Bar—and everyone else out there who are in denial of the fact that they are good enough

2021
Oct
14

PSNLA 37

I think NEA will try to seize BENECO by Fake People PowerPre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 37 In this day and age of social media channeling heightened public awareness, public opinion is no longer an abstract factor in policy formulation. There remain a few

2021
Oct
13

PSNCL 36

NEA Cannot use the PNP to perform its rulemaking powers, only it’s adjudicating powerPre-Semester Non-classroom Lecture 36 The National Electrification Administration (NEA) is skating on really very thin ice, if it insists on its handpicked general manager for BENECO. Can NEA use

2021
Oct
13

PSNCL 35

NEA validly serving an invalid Order doesn’t make the Order validPre-Semester Non-classroom Lecture 35 My bad, I forget to mention that some of my posts are really intended for our law students that we still can’t meet face-to-face. Even bar review is

2021
Oct
12

PSNLA 34

As an ordinary consumer, Laarni Ilagan and BENECO make me proudPre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 34 I waited three days before going public on Facebook with my minor gripe about still not having electricity despite the storm being over. At 6:30 AM, well over

2021
Sep
30

PSNLA 33

Baguio-Benguet Consumers are Slowly Waking upPre-Semester Non-Lecture Analysis 33 Ordinary people of good conscience are beginning to react to the BENECO crisis. I think it’s because the COVID19 Delta Variant reminds them of it everyday. The NEA variant behaves uncanningly similar. It