Manila, Philippines — The acquittal of five men who were arrested, tortured and detained in connection with bomb blasts in the Philippines in 2003 was made public last Friday. It took the court seven years to determine their innocence. During that time the police did not hesitate to treat them as guilty.

Manila, Philippines — The arraignment of Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the massacre of 57 people in the southern Philippines, took place in Manila on Monday. Ampatuan is lucky; ordinary detainees are often held in congested jails and suffer prolonged detention without trial for crimes allegedly committed years ago.

Manila, Philippines — The military coup in Thailand last September was reminiscent of similar attempts in the Philippines in decades past. The difference was that citizens fought hard to restore democracy and uphold civilian supremacy.

MANILA, Philippines — Often when Filipino workers demand fair compensation and benefits, all that they get in return is termination of employment, starvation, violent attacks by armed thugs and police officers and false and arbitrary charges in court. This lawful exercise of d

Manila, Philippines — Once again elections loom in the Philippines, and with them hopes for change and risks of turmoil. But the very concept of elections is misunderstood in the country.

Manila, Philippines — Any discussion about human rights and democracy, without reflecting on how the country's system of justice functions, is meaningless. Unless there is a critical analysis of the relationship between the protection of human rights and the system of justice,