Social Ethics Society

  By Professor Menelito Mansueto  Based on my limited engagements with Peace Studies related themes, I agree and share a similar observation with my former classmate and a good friend: Dr. Bernard Caslib, of the University of the Philippines–Manila, who opines that Peace Education is a relatively new import in the Philippine educational curricula.   On my part, my exposure to Peace Studies concepts was brought to my new teaching environment in Mindanao State University System (MSU), which offers and handles the mandatory course “Fundamentals of Peace Education,” among tertiary students, an effort which brought MSU System the status and distinction as a National Peace University.    Part of my personal and scholarly growth is my encounter and collaborations with the research works of Dr. Juichiro Tanabe of Waseda University in Tokyo. Tanabe’s novel Buddhist approach to Peacebuilding Education captivates my interest in the field. Probably the most notable sch...

Academics from Mindanao and the Visayas will be presenting their respective papers on decoloniality in the SES-PUP International Ethics Conference at Waseda University in Tokyo this coming September. Dr. Anesito Cutillas of Cebu Technological University - Argao will deliver a paper entitled "Bridging the Gap: Addressing Healthcare Access and Cultural Safety in Mamanwa Communities Through Educational Empowerment," Dr. Cutillas has done extensive studies on decoloniality together with Dr. Jeffry Ocay, a leading figure in Critical Theory in the country. Prof. Oliver Perater of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology will present his paper " A Critical Re-examination of the Dominant Assumption of Collectivism in Indigenous Filipino Cultural Identity through Individualist Framework," and Prof. Menelito Mansueto of MSU-IIT will talk about his recent study, " Antonio Gramsci’s ‘Organic’ and ‘Traditional’ Intellectuals: Their Role in the Mobilization...

  Menelito Mansueto, a faculty member of the Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology and member of the Board of Directors of the Social Ethics Society, has risen in rank in the AD World Scientific Index. He is now ranked number 19 among 79 Philosophy scholars in the Philippines.  Mansueto's growth as an academic follows the path of discipline, discovery and real commitment. As co-editor of the Philippine Democracy Online, his courage is apparent in voicing his opinion on issues of national interest. Mansueto has done novel work on indigenous thought, notably in Mindanao.  He has published papers in local and international journals, including book chapters, and has attended local and international conferences. He will present a paper in the SES-PUP International Ethics Conference at Waseda University in Tokyo this coming September.  The link to the latest rankings can be found below: https://www.adscientificindex.com/h-index-rankings/?tit_sub=Histor...

  Fr. Dexter Veloso, PhD, the President of the Social Ethics Society, will present his paper on peace building in the SES-PUP International Ethics Conference at Waseda University in Tokyo this September. Fr. Dexter is a Professor at the Saint Francis Xavier College Seminary in Davao City and the Holy Cross of Davao College. He studied at the University of Santo Tomas and later attended Ateneo de Davao University for his Master's degree under the direction of Dr. Renante Pilapil. Fr. Veloso has a doctorate degree in Global Justice and Sustainability from the American University of Sovereign Nations under the tutelage of Dr. Darryl Macer. Dr. Macer is a geneticist who attended Cambridge University. Fr. Veloso's paper will tackle the role of civil society in peace building, especially on the contributions of the Catholic Church in the effort to help establish just and democratic institutions. 

  Dr. Rogelio Bayod, the man behind the success of the Social Ethics Society as an organization, will present a seminal paper on the unique contribution of Mindanao to Philosophy in the Philippines. The Waseda Conference is itself a product of the time and effort put forward by the men and women of the SES, who are continually doing their share in the internationalization of the organization, all for the unwavering desire to enhance philosophical reflection in Mindanao by engaging with global scholars. Dr. Bayod himself has brought the likes of Dr. Darryl Macer, Dr. Daniel Mishori, and Dr. Wataru Kusaka to the campuses of Mindanao-based schools. The paper is entitled "Whispers from the Margins: Towards, Mindanawon Philosophy, Power, and Philippine Democracy." It is an attempt to reflect on the problems, issues and approach that Mindanao thinkers thought to address the challenges of our time. The paper is not meant to compete with Manila scholarship. Mindanao's small part ...

  A total of 42 Abstracts have been approved for Oral Presentation in the SES-PUP International Ethics Conference at Waseda University in Tokyo this September. This was revealed by Prof. Migs Mansueto of MSU-IIT, head of the Secretariat.  "We have presenters from Japan, Turkey and the Philippines. Academics from the top schools in the country will be joining us," according to the official statement of the Scientific Committee headed by Dr. Ian Clark Parcon of Ateneo de Davao University. The Social Ethics Society and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Center for Philosophy and the Humanities are co-organizers, in cooperation with Waseda University in Tokyo. Dr. Juichiro Tanabe of Waseda University is the conference chair. 

  Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera of the Mindanao State University - Marawi will present her paper on peace building in the SES-PUP International Ethics Conference this coming September 5&6, 2025 at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. Her paper is "Violence Against Women Overseas Filipino Workers: Hope and Healing in Post-conflict Peacebuilding.” The international event will be attended by Filipino, Japanese, and other foreign scholars, including those from Waseda University, the University of Ankara, Toyo University, Keio University, the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, MSU-IIT, University of Santo Tomas, UPLB, CTU Argao, and the University of San Carlos, among others. The keynote speakers in the event are Dr. Rhee Maji (Waseda), Dr. Ian Clark Parcon (AdDU), Dr. Juichiro Tanabe (Waseda), Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc (AdDU), and Dr. Napoleon Mabaquiao (DLSU). Dr. Eviota-Rivera's presentation is sponsored by the Social Ethics Socie...

  Menelito Mansueto, a faculty member of the Philosophy Department of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, is in Marburg, Germany to attend the Southeast Asian University Partnership for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Regional Conference 2025 at Philipps-University, Marburg. Mansueto, the managing editor of the SES Journal of Applied Philosophy, is the author of the book Decolonial Turn in the Philippine South. He has conducted research on local culture and indigeneity. He is a part of the SES-CTU research group that studied the way of life of the T'boli and Obu Manobo. 

  Professor Maji Rhee has been teaching at School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University since 2009. Prior to joining Waseda, Professor Rhee was a faculty member at Portland State University. Prof. Rhee received Ed.D. from Rutgers University, LL.M. and JS.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Prof. Rhee has been engaged in research projects related to forensic linguistics and Legal Communications. Dr. Ian Clark Parcon is an Associate Professor in Philosophy at Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City, Philippines. He has an extensive involvement in gender advocacy which spans more than 20 years of giving gender related trainings to different sectors in the community and advancing gender fair policies. He also is currently active in research dealing with male involvement in feminism. He holds a doctorate degree in Philosophy from Ateneo de Manila University. He finished his Master of Arts degree in Applied Ethics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology,...

1. Cultivating Peace Through Moral Education in the Philippines: A Pathway to Harmony - Bernardo N. Caslib, Jr., Ph.D. (University of the Philippines – Manila) 2. Conatus over Conflict: Manifestation of Spinoza’s Transindividual Striving - Isabela Salaveria Carrillo (Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sta. Mesa, Manila) 3. Ethical Global Citizenship Education for Social Justice - Emiliano Bosio (Toyo University, Japan) 4. An Ecocentric Approach to Autonomy in AI-Powered Nudging for Climate Change Mitigation - Joseph Martin Mendoza Jose, Ph.D (De La Salle University) 5. Mitigating Risks in AI: Can the Ethics Review Process Help? – Dr. Jeffrey L. Bartilet (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) 6. Supervision Strategies in Managing the Stress of Instructors due to Inevitable Academic Overloads and Pressures - Rhea Jane L. Caynila (Cebu Technological University) 7. Depoliticizing ESG: A Foucauldian Critique of Technicization and Neoliberal Strategies - Michael Angelo Bunagan ...

  Mindanao-based philosophy teachers held a forum to discuss the proposal to remove Ethics in the General Education curriculum. Four young college teachers expressed their views in separate presentations during the Ethics Forum hosted by the Social Ethics Society, held in Eden, Davao City on July 5, 2025. The presentors were Zandee Jaquias (USTP), Ardione Fuentes (Ateneo de Davao University), Adelbert Escollada (MSU - Gensan) and James Pabonita (Opol Community College).  The speakers discussed the practical, legal, strategic, economic, and moral aspect of the issue pertaining to the move of Edcom 2. The academicians who attended are united in their position to protest against this injustice that undermines the education of our youth. Mr. Niel Capidos, a graduate student at the Catholic University of Louvain, expressed that the proposal is not just a curricular matter but is something that impacts the employment of thousands of teachers, a sentiment that was also shared by othe...

  Academics from the country's top schools - UP Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and the University of Santo Tomas, will be attending the first international conference organized by the Social Ethics Society (SES), the SES-PUP International Ethics Conference at Waseda University, an event initiated two years ago by the SES with Peace and Conflict Studies scholar Dr. Juichiro Tanabe of Waseda University. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines is a co-organizer.  "The SES seeks to elevate local scholarship into global standards," says Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc, SES Chair. A total of 49 academics will be presenting papers, including faculty members from Toyo University, the University of Ankara, and Hiroshima University. Fr. Dexter Veloso, SES President, is elated to know that the Ethics conference is getting a lot of interest. The gathering will discuss Philippine Democracy, Climate Justice, AI in Education, Artificial Intelligence, an...

  Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc, the Chair of the Social Ethics Society and a Philosophy Professor at Ateneo de Davao University, has been appointed as a mentor to the fellows in the 2025 ASAP Yale University Global Justice Program.  Academics Stand Against Poverty or ASAP is a fellowship program meant to promote scholarship and research on the fight against global poverty. It was founded by Thomas Pogge, the director of Yale University's Global Justice Program.  For this year, 23 fellows were chosen from various countries to conduct research projects and join lectures by renowned global scholars. Dr. Maboloc was part of the pioneering fellows chosen in 2024. He was mentored by Thomas Pogge. 

  The SES-PUP International Ethics Conference at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan  September 5 and 6, 2025, to be held at the Center for International Education, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan BACKGROUND Waseda University in Tokyo is known for its cutting-edge research and training in Peace and Conflict Studies. The inaugural SES-PUP International Ethics Conference at Waseda University will be held come September 5 & 6, 2025, at the Center for International Education, Waseda University. The event is co-organized by the Social Ethics Society and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Center for Philosophy and the Humanities. The confirmed Plenary Speakers are Dr. Juichiro Tanabe (Waseda University), Dr. Ian Clark Parcon (Ateneo de Davao University), Dr. Rhee Maji (Waseda University), Dr. Napoleon Mabaquiao (De La Salle University), and Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc (Ateneo de Davao University). The theme of this international ethics conference is “Harmonizing the Et...

  Programme, July 5, 2025  2:00 - Opening Prayer 2:05 - Opening Remarks - Fr. John Guo Wang 2:15 - Forum Proper Speakers: 1. Mr. Ardione Fuentes (AdDU) 2. Mr. Adelbert Escollada (MSU-Gensan) 3. Mr. James Pabonita (Opol Comm. College) 4. Mr. Zandee Jaquias (USTP) Discussions  Moderator - Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc Part 2 Book Signing Closing Remarks - Fr. Dexter Veloso  Venue: Social Hall, Saint Michael Chapel, Eden, Toril, Davao City  Cocktails  Hosted by Fr. John Guo Wang 

  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...