Michael Apacible Bulletin

  Expanding Access to Justice: 2026 Sharia Special Bar Examinations In a significant step toward inclusivity in the legal system, the Supreme Court of the Philippines has partnered with New Era University to host the 2026 Sharia Special Bar Examinations (SSBE) . The agreement designates the university as: The national headquarters , and A local testing center for the exams Associate Justice Henry John Paul Inting , chairperson of the 2026 SSBE, described the initiative as part of the judiciary’s effort to: “Expand access to justice and strengthen the administration of Sharia law within the legal system.” Why It’s Important The Sharia Bar Exams are crucial for: Accrediting lawyers in Islamic law Strengthening legal services in Muslim communities Enhancing cultural and legal inclusivity in the Philippines Key Figures Present The signing ceremony included: Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo Several Associate Justices and court officials University leaders and leg...

  Election Gun Ban Clarified: What Counts as a “Deadly Weapon”? The Supreme Court of the Philippines has recently clarified a long-debated issue surrounding election laws, specifically, what constitutes a “deadly weapon” under the election gun ban. In a resolution penned by Associate Justice Henry John Paul Inting , the Court emphasized that the prohibition on carrying deadly weapons during elections primarily applies to firearms and regulated weapons , not automatically to bladed instruments like knives. This clarification stems from the interpretation of Section 261(b) of the Omnibus Election Code . The law prohibits possession of deadly weapons only within polling places or within a 100-meter radius during election hours . Why This Matters This ruling refines how law enforcement and courts should interpret election-related offenses. It prevents overly broad enforcement that could penalize individuals without a sufficient legal basis. Case Outcome The Court ultimately acqu...

Palace to Former Spokesperson Roque: You Can't Hide Behind Asylum Request Malacañang Palace has issued a firm statement regarding former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque's request for political asylum in the Netherlands, asserting that this action cannot shield him from a valid arrest warrant issued in the Philippines. Roque, who is facing an arrest warrant for his alleged involvement in a Philippine offshore gaming operation (POGO) hub in Pampanga, recently stated his intention to continue pursuing political asylum. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro addressed the issue directly in a press briefing . She emphasized that Roque bears the responsibility of proving that the legal actions against him constitute mere harassment. "Roque filed his petition for asylum. So, to avoid arrest, especially since our country has issued a valid warrant of arrest, it is his responsibility to prove that any attempt to bring him back to the Philippines, whether thr...

Hacienda Luisita: My Personal Take on a Complex Legacy Okay, let's talk about Hacienda Luisita. This topic, man, it's a tangled web of history, family, and politics, and honestly, it's something I've spent a lot of time trying to wrap my head around. And look, I'm just a blogger, sharing my personal analysis and opinions here, not a historian or a lawyer. So, here's what I see: this whole narrative about the Aquino family and Hacienda Luisita? It’s often painted in these broad, black-and-white strokes, especially when it comes to the late President Benigno Aquino III. But after digging into it, I'm starting to think it's way more gray than anyone wants to admit. First off, the history. It’s crucial to remember that the land wasn't originally an Aquino thing. It was a Cojuangco thing, his mother's side. That's a huge distinction, and I think it gets lost in a lot of the noise. It matters because it shifts the focus a bit. It’s not about the Aq...

ICC Names Suspects in Duterte Drug War: What's Next? President Bongbong Marcos has received a document from the International Criminal Court (ICC) identifying individuals suspected of involvement in the controversial Duterte Drug War according to former Senator Antonio Trillanes. This document includes the names of key figures from the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte and their possible involvement in human rights violations. Who Are the Suspects? Senator Ronaldo de la Rosa Senator Ronaldo de la Rosa, who served as the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the Duterte Administration, is one of the primary suspects named by the ICC. Since 2016, de la Rosa has been implicated in the drug war operations that resulted in numerous deaths. General Oscar Albayalde Also named is General Oscar Albayalde, who succeeded de la Rosa as PNP Chief. Like his predecessor, Albayalde faces allegations of involvement in the violent anti-drug campaigns. Other Officials I...