Social Ethics Society

  Press Release - “Harmonizing the Ethics of Global Justice & Peacebuilding: Towards a Sustainable Planetary Future” is an International Ethics Conference that will be held at the Center for International Education, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan on September 5 and 6, 2025. The conference is co-organized by the Social Ethics Society and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Center for Philosophy and the Humanities. The organizers are inviting academics, scholars, and graduate students to join the conference.  The conference topics include Global Justice, Peace & Conflict Studies, Philippine Politics & Democracy, Artificial Intelligence, Education, Sustainable Development, & Climate Change. Submitted abstracts should not be more than 300 words.  "This is in line with our efforts to expand the horizon of local researchers and bring them to an international platform where they can share their research," says Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc, SES BOD Chai...

  The problem is not the teaching of ethics. The real culprit is an unjust system that favors the interests of a hegemonic global order that focuses on using the human person and reducing the same into a mere means to an end. This is apparent in an economic system that values profit over human freedom. The mistake lies in the desire to serve the ends of business and industry instead of humanity.  Society is corrupt not because of the way ethics is taught. The reason has something to do with unjust structures. The poor teacher has been reduced into a tool, now begging not to be removed from his job. There is no greater way of demeaning the human person, whose rational nature or intrinsic value is supposed to be celebrated, and not to be subjected to threats of losing his means of living. We reserve every right to say what we want to say and to express the same in the way we find it most meaningful. We recognize the value of solidarity in pursuing not only our common interest bu...

  Fr. John Guo Wang, in cooperation with the Social Ethics Society, will host a forum on The Future of Ethics in the Philippines, this coming July 5, 2025. The event will feature papers in progress of young academics who are teaching ethics. The presenters include Zandee Jaquias (MUST), Ardione Fuentes and James Pabonita (AdDU graduate students), and Adelbert Escollada (NDMU). The event will also be participated in by students from the Holy Cross of Davao College and the University of Southern Mindanao. Dr. Rec Eguia has been tapped as a reactor. Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc is organizing the event which will be held at the Social Hall of Saint Michael Chapel, Eden, Davao City. 

The most cited young scholars and members of the Social Ethics Society are Dr. Moises Torrentira Jr., of the University of Southeastern Philippines, Dr. Albert Albina of Negros Oriental State University, and Mr. Menelito Mansueto of MSU-IIT. Citations reflect the importance and value of one's research to the international community of scholars. University rankings include publications and citations in their matrix. 

  Dr. Sherlito Sable, a Professor (retired) at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), and a pioneering member of the Social Ethics Society, has passed away this morning, June 3, 2025. He left behind a legacy of being a mentor and colleague to many development scholars in Mindanao. Dr. Sable finished his AB Classical at the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary. He has a Master’s in Management from the University of the Philippines in Mindanao and a PhD in Development Administration from USEP. He was the former dean of the College of Development Management of USEP (Mintal Campus).  He also taught Philosophy at the Ateneo de Davao University handling courses in Ethics, Philosophy of Man, and the Philosophy of Religion. "He was a good man," says Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc, Chair of the SES. He adds that "Dr. Sable, together with the late Dr. Romulo Bautista, encouraged the SES to venture into uncharted territories, including peace and development issues in Minda...

  Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc successfully delivered a lecture on the problem of poverty to the Philosophy Department of Ateneo de Davao University. The event was attended by Ateneo faculty, graduate students and philosophy majors. He started off with Thomas Pogge's analysis of the concept of poverty and presented to his colleagues and Ateneo students his research on the causal factors of poverty in Muslim Mindanao. Dr. Vida Mia Valverde, chair of the Philosophy Department, gave the opening remarks.

  We, members of the Board of Directors of the Social Ethics Society, express our strong opposition to the proposal to remove ethics in college. Such move is bereft of merit and is ignorant as to the value and purpose of the teaching of the course, which is thoroughly rooted in the integral and critical function of higher education. The proposal to transfer it to Senior High School deprives college students of the teaching of ethics as a professional course, which is crucial in their civic engagements and the pursuit of a democratic society that can only be grounded in responsible citizenship and critical thinking.  The direction of Edcom and its advisers from the technical panels of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) reduces our whole education system into a mode of creating docile workers who will constitute the labor force that will serve the whims and interests of a capital intensive and consumer driven globalized neoliberal economic order. It only breeds our subser...

  The Social Ethics Society has released its annual list of its Most Cited Members (2025) based on Google Scholar, Researchgate, and Academia. The Top 10 most cited members of the SES are the following: 1. Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc (Ateneo de Davao University) - 475 citations 2. Dr. Moises Torrentira Jr. (University of Southeastern Philippines) - 329 citations  3. Dr. Albert Albina (Negros Oriental State University) - 195 citations  4. Dr. Jeffry Ocay (Eastern Visayas State University) - 173 citations  5. Dr. Randy Tudy (University of Southeastern Philippines) - 173 citations 6. Dr. Rogelio Bayod (North Valley College) - 133 citations 7. Dr. Peter Paul Elicor (Ateneo de Davao University) - 108 citations 8. Dr. Ryan Urbano (Cebu Technological University)  - 74 citations  9. Dr. Guiraldo Fernandez Jr. (Visayas State University) - 52 citations  10. Dr. Raymundo Pavo (University of the Philippines in Mindanao) - 39 citations

By Professor Joefer Maninang (Bukidnon State University)  The establishment of the Philosophy Society of Bukidnon, Inc. (PSBI) began with a meeting between two philosophy enthusiasts and friends, Joefer Maninang and Redentor De La Rosa, who envisioned founding a philosophy organization based in Bukidnon. They first shared the idea with their colleagues and set a formal meeting that the Bukidnon State University (BukSU) Philosophy Department then hosted. Philosophy teachers from BukSU, Central Mindanao University (CMU), and San Isidro College (SIC) attended the meeting to deliberate on PSBI’s Constitution and By-Laws and elected its officers for a three-year term. Dr. Arnel Morte of CMU and Mr. Joefer Maninang of BukSU were elected President and Vice-President, respectively, while Mr. Nicko Aznar of SIC was elected Secretary and Mr. Mave Rick Roa (BukSU) as Treasurer. Mr. Keith Revilla (CMU) was also elected as Auditor, while Prof. Redentor De La Rosa (CMU) was elected as Public Inf...

  The Social Ethics Society (SES) has enhanced its official corporate logo. "The Philosophical Society of Mindanao" has been added to the emblem. It is meant, according to Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera, to reflect Mindanao as a region and base of the Social Ethics Society, although it does not limit the membership to Mindanao-based academics. Fr. Dexter Veloso approved the design that was created by Professor Menelito Mansueto. 

  Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc's The Politics of Peace and the Mindanao Problem is now available at Jade Book Store in Davao City. The new book traces the roots of historical injustice in Muslim Mindanao and discusses the problem of social, cultural, economic, and political exclusion using the lens of Iris Marion Young and Thomas Pogge. The book can also be purchased online through its publisher, Elzystyle Publishing House.  The Politics of Peace and the Mindanao Problem by Christopher Ryan Maboloc. Foreword by Prof. Goran Collste. Introduction by Dr. Mansoor Limba. 227pp. Published by Elzystyle Publishing House.  BOOK REVIEWS  This book comes at the right time. Dr Christopher Ryan Maboloc focuses on the long-lasting conflict in Mindanao. He explains the background to the present conflict and discusses roads to peace and reconciliation. Dr Maboloc is a scholar in applied ethics. In applied ethics we reflect on today’s moral challenges to find guidance and justified s...

By Ruben O. Balotol, Jr.  Why are there few scholarships in Leyte? How do we encourage faculty members and scholars in Eastern Visayas to make Leyte the focus of their study? Is there an avenue for scholars in Leyte to discuss their ideas? How do we make people see the role of philosophy?  These are just some of the questions we ask and reflect on among ourselves. This is where it all begins, in which the process of sharing our ideas becomes an important basis for having the shared goals, vision, and dedication in establishing the Association of Eastern Visayas Studies. It was a shared goal together with former colleagues in Visayas State University-Tolosa Campus.  With the support of the faculty members, department heads, deans, and the Chancellor through a series of consultations, a plan of activities was carefully crafted to realize the goals of creating an association. The Association of Eastern Visayas Studies aims to:  - To promote and share knowledge and studi...

  By Menelito Mansueto Slavoj Zizek is probably one of the most controversial thinkers of our time. He is one of the most popular too. He has debated against Jordan Peterson, the Canadian psychologist, whose very elementary understanding of Marxism was exposed by Zizek. Down here in Southern Leyte, a quiet and unassuming young scholar has actually co-authored a publication with Zizek.  Mr. Ruben Balotol, a young professor at Barauen Community College, is co-author of "Redefining the Common Causes of Social Struggles," which is published in the International Journal of Political Philosophy. "Ruben is proof of the potential and capability of scholars down South," explains Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc.  Mr. Balotol has published several works in local and international journals, including book chapters. He has also delivered lectures in public forums and conferences sponsored by the Social Ethics Society, Societas Ethica, and Phavisminda. A prolific writer, he has been...

Dr. Randy Tudy has been chosen as one of the 2025 Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP) - Yale University Global Justice Program Fellow. Dr. Tudy, who is a Professor at the University of Southeastern Philippines, will work on Artificial Intelligence and its application in Poverty Alleviation. The fellows were presented during an online activity held on May 15, 2025. Mihai Lupu, ASAP Fellowship Program coordinator, hosted the event. Dr. Thomas Pogge and other Yale Global Justice fellows were also present.  ASAP is a global network of scholars and academics empowered and working to mobilize talent and resources in academia through research and advocacy. Dr. Pogge, who heads Yale University's Global Justice Program, is the current president of ASAP.  ASAP also publishes the prestigious ASAP Journal. The journal tackles the most recent theories and explanations on poverty and global justice. Fellows are chosen based on their academic resume and research topic.  The 2025 ASAP...

By Migs Mansueto Trained in the country's best universities, Ateneo de Manila University for Philosophy and Mindanao State University in Marawi in Language Studies, Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera has helped the Social Ethics Society shift its focus and attention in terms of imbibing the truly Mindanawon direction of its brand of local philosophizing. "She is our testament to women power and the SES is blessed to have her," says Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc. Dr. Rivera is a long-time peace advocate and educator. She has delivered important lectures to various conferences and events, including those hosted by the Philosophical Association of the Philippines. Dr. Rivera is a full professor in MSU Marawi. She is the mentor to young and promising philosophy scholars in the Bangsamoro region, including Khalid Rinamuntao and Jumadir Mungkon. Dr. Rivera is also well published. Her most important paper being the narrative on the 2017 Marawi Siege. Indeed, Dr. Rivera is an inspiration to...

By Migs Mansueto  A humble yet truly capable leader, Dr. Roger Bayod is one of those silent workers who is actually making a big difference in the real struggle for inclusion. When he previously worked at Cor Jesu College, he brought top-ranked and global scholars to the school. The list included Cambridge-trained Dr. Darryl Macer and Japanese scholar Wataru Kusaka, author of Moral Politics in the Philippines. This Dr. Bayod did while doing his graduate studies in philosophy at Ateneo de Davao University. "He is a good leader. The right man for the job if you want to change things," says Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc. Dr. Bayod will go on acting as organizer and chair of two or three SES conferences. He had also brought to his former school other international scholars, including Daniel Mishori, Juichiro Tanabe, among others. Dr. Bayod is now a consultant at North Valley College in Kidapawan City. The task at hand that he embraces is still intact. He has slowly done for NVM th...

The Social Ethics Society, in cooperation with Waseda University in Tokyo, North Valley College and MSU-IIT, successfully held an online Public Forum on Philippine Democracy last May 9, 2025. The event, which was joined by 152 participants, highlighted the state of affairs in Philippine politics and society. The speakers were Dr. Juichiro Tanabe, Dr. Rogelio Bayod, Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc, Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera, Dr. Arnel Morte, Mr. Migs Mansueto, Mr. Ruben Balotol, and Atty. Jamil Matalam. The resource persons tackled issues such as liberal peace and its critics, gender and women empowerment, voting as a moral obligation, the prospect for a Mindanawon philosophy, the problem of political dynasties, and the issues concerning the Bangsamoro. In particular, Dr. Rogelio Bayod proposed a Mindanawon philosophy that is based in the experience, struggle and aspirations of the people in Mindanao. Ms. Sweet Aviles of MSU-IIT hosted the event. Dr. Ian Clark Parcon gave the opening remark...