Social Ethics Society

  An active peace educator, Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera, who is a full professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi, is an inspiring moral voice to her students and colleagues at MSU as well as the Social Ethics Society. Dr. Rivera pushed for the research on narratives on the ground during the Marawi siege, resulting in a highly original paper that gave voice to the struggles of civilians and the heroic deeds of ordinary folks who helped their fellow human citizens escape the war that lasted for six months. Dr. Rivera holds a master's in philosophy from Ateneo de Manila University and has a doctorate degree in language studies from MSU Marawi. Recently, she presented a paper at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. She was also a speaker in a talk organized by the Philosophical Association of the Philippines in March. Dr. Rivera has spoken about her peace advocacy in various venues, including events hosted by Ateneo de Davao University and the Social Ethics Society. She accepted ...

The Board of Directors of the Social Ethics Society, in a meeting held last September 6, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, has passed a resolution to withdraw its membership from the Union of Philosophical Societies and Associations in the Philippines (USAPP).  The Board also expressed, in a letter sent to SES members, that it is grateful to have been a part of USAPP and that it recognizes the honest efforts of the organization to empower philosophical associations, scholars, and academics in the country.  The Board added that the decision does not prevent any member of the SES to take part in any USAPP sponsored event nor preclude them from leaving the SES should they want to do so. The resolution is up for ratification by the General Assembly in February 2026. 

  Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc will present his paper "Addressing Poverty in Muslim Mindanao: Perspectives from Thomas Pogge and Iris Marion Young" in the ASAP - Yale Global Justice Program Annual Conference, 23 to 26 October 2025.  Dr. Maboloc will be presenting under the theme Labor Rights & Social Justice. The hybrid event will be participated in by global experts and scholars. It is organized by Dr. Thomas Pogge, the director of the Yale Global Justice Program.   

  Dr. Rogelio Bayod (North Valley College and Notre Dame of Marbel University) will be conference chair in the forthcoming 16th Social Ethics Society Annual Conference to be held at Holy Cross of Davao College in February 2026. The invited speakers include Dr. Wataru Kusaka (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies), Dr. Layne Hartsell (Chulalongkorn University), Fr. Jose Conrado Estafia (Holy Name University), Dr. Bernardo Caslib Jr. (UP Manila and Ateneo de Manila University), Dr. Jeffry Ocay (Eastern Visayas State University) and Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera (Mindanao State University - Marawi). The proposed theme of the conference is The Future of Philippine Democracy as seen in different lenses (contemporary politics, feminism, critical theory, human development, and ethics). The Call for Papers will be released before the end of October 2025. 

The Social Ethics Society condemns the widespread and systemic corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways now highlighted by ghosts flood control projects worth billions of pesos that have gone to waste and into the pockets of corrupt government officials. The Philippines has suffered from institutional failures and the most recent scandal in the country will only exacerbate the already difficult situation of the Filipino people.  The investigations done by the Office of Senator Panfilo Lacson, the hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, and the recent creation of the Independent Commission om Infrastructure are important mechanisms in exposing the corruption in the DPWH. But the investigations must conclusively lead to the roots of the scandal, - the budgetary insertions done by some members of Congress meant to serve their selfish interests.  The SES, as an organization, supports the efforts of civil society in holding protests to maintain public vigilan...

  By Menelito Mansueto  The first International Ethics Conference held at Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan last September 5 and 6, 2025 has been successfully concluded. The event was attended by over 40 delegates from across Asia and Eurasia, particularly, the Philippines, Turkey, and Japan. Joining the event are our very own delegates from the MSU System, Asst. Professor Menelito P. Mansueto of the Department of Philosophy and Humanities from the College of Arts and Social Sciences, of MSU-IIT, and Professor Godiva Eviota-Rivera of MSU-Marawi.  The International Ethics Conference was hosted by the Center for International Education of Waseda University. Professor Juichiro Tanabe served as Conference Chair. Professor Maji Rhee, Dean of the Center for International Education, gave the Keynote Address. Asst. Professor Mansueto presented what could be the first among a planned series of researches about the Higaonon farmers of Sumilao, Bukidnon. Professor Rivera, on the other...