Social Ethics Society

The Social Ethics Society (SES) Conference is the annual philosophy conference organized by the Social Ethics Society , the first professional organization of philosophy teachers, researchers, and graduate students primarily based in Mindanao (Southern Philippines). Its current President is Fr. Dexter Veloso, a priest and academic leader known for his charismatic approach. Founded in 2010 by the late Dr. Romulo Bautista and Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc in Davao City, the SES has grown into a significant platform for philosophical discourse, with its conference typically held every year (historically in October, though recent editions like the 16th in 2026 shifted to February at venues such as Holy Cross of Davao College), an event chaired by Dr. Rogelio Bayod. Its contributions to philosophy in the Philippines include: Decentralizing and regionalizing philosophical activity — Philippine philosophy has long been Manila-centric, dominated by elite institutions in the capital. The S...

Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc is a prominent Filipino philosopher whose work has significantly shifted the landscape of Philippine philosophy from abstract metaphysics toward applied ethics, political realism, and social justice. ​As an Associate Professor at Ateneo de Davao University and a 2020 Public Intellectual Prize awardee, his impact is characterized by "philosophizing from the margins"—bringing the struggles of the Global South and Mindanao into mainstream academic discourse. Maboloc is credited with bringing radical democracy into mainstream Philippine academic discourse starting around 2016–2017. His work, notably the book Radical Democracy in the Time of Duterte, argues that Duterte’s antagonism toward traditional elites represent a form of radical struggle or agonism. Maboloc is widely recognized as the leading figure and "leading radical democratic theorist" who introduced and popularized the application of Radical Democratic Theory to the local politic...

Fr. Dexter Veloso (full name often Fr. Dexter C. Veloso, Fr. Dexter Veloso, DCD, PhD, is a Filipino Catholic priest, philosopher, ethicist, and academic leader based in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. Key details about his profile: Priestly Role: He is a Roman Catholic priest (often referred to as Fr. or Rev. Fr.). He has served as parish priest in various Davao parishes, including San Isidro Parish in Lomundao, Davao City (earlier roles) and later Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Poblacion District, Davao City (installation around 2026). Academic and Teaching Role: Philosophy professor and ethics instructor at St. Francis Xavier College Seminary in Davao and the Holy Cross of Davao College. He teaches courses in philosophy, ethics, and related subjects.  He has advanced degrees, including a Master's in Philosophy (from Ateneo de Davao University) and a PhD (noted in contexts like American University of Sovereign Nations or related programs, with focus on environmental ethics/bioeth...

Menelito Mansueto (full name often listed as Menelito P. Mansueto or Menelito Piscos Mansueto) is a Filipino academic and philosopher. He serves as an Assistant Professor (sometimes listed as Professor) in the Philosophy Department at Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. His scholarly work focuses on areas such as: Decolonization and decolonial theory (including a 2024 book titled Decolonial Turn in the Philippine South , published by KDP Publishing, which draws on Enrique Dussel's philosophy of liberation and discusses paradigm shifts in the Philippine South influenced by political and cultural dynamics) Media theory Psychoanalysis Peacebuilding Philosophy of liberation Critiques of technology (e.g., in the Anthropocene era) Epistemic injustice (applying concepts like Miranda Fricker's to Philippine social realities) Engagements with thinkers like Nietzsche (e.g., reinterpreting "Go...

Kristine Ann Alcazar (her full name is Kristine Ann Cruz-Alcazar or Kristine Ann C. Alcazar) is a college lecturer and faculty member at Bukidnon State University (BukSU), located in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Philippines. Key details about her professional profile: Position: College Lecturer (as listed on LinkedIn and other sources). She has been associated with the university since at least 2020, teaching general education courses and philosophy. She is also an active officer of the Philosophical Society of Bukidnon. Teaching Focus: She has authored or co-authored instructional modules for GE 102: Ethics (a core general education subject in Philippine higher education), including materials distributed during the COVID-19 period for remote learning.  Academic/Research Involvement: She is active in philosophical and interdisciplinary discussions. In early 2026, she had a paper accepted for oral presentation at the 16th Social Ethics Society (SES) Conference: "Art on the Edge: AI, ...

Benjiemen Labastin (full name often Benjiemen A. Labastin or Benjiemen Aban Labastin) is a Filipino philosopher, academic, and administrator based in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Key details about his profile: Current Position: Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at La Salle University (LSU) in Ozamiz City (as of AY 2025-2026). He is also an Assistant Professor in the Philosophy department/program. Academic Expertise: Specializes in political philosophy, democratic theory, Philippine democracy/politics, hermeneutics, post-modernism, and related areas like critical engagement, radical politics, and applied ethics. His work frequently analyzes contemporary Philippine issues, especially the Duterte era (e.g., "Dutertismo" as a contested form of populism/authoritarianism vs. substantive democracy). Notable Publications: "Two Faces of Dutertismo: Two Visions of Democracy in the Philippines" (2018, Social Ethics Society Journal of ...

Joefer Maninang is a Filipino philosopher and academic based in Bukidnon. He serves as an Instructor (and regular faculty member) of Philosophy at Bukidnon State University (BukSU). He taught previously at the University of Mindanao and Ateneo de Davao University. Academic Background: AB Philosophy from Xavier University (completed in 2004), MA Philosophy from Ateneo de Davao University, He is a PhD candidate at UP Diliman. His work focuses on applied philosophy, Filipino philosophy, social psychology concepts like kapwa (a core idea in Sikolohiyang Pilipino/Filipino Psychology, originally from Virgilio G. Enriquez), ethics, political philosophy (e.g., drawing on Hannah Arendt's vita activa and references to Philippine political slogans like "Daang Matuwid"), environmental rights (e.g., the Writ of Kalikasan), and related topics such as vaccine policies or bioethics. He has published papers in journals like Philosophia (e.g., "On Kapwa: A Core Concept in Filipino Soc...

Dr. Ian Clark Parcon (full name often listed as Ian Clark R. Parcon) is a Filipino academic and philosopher based in Davao City, Philippines. He serves as an Associate Professor in the Philosophy Department at Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU). He holds a PhD from the Ateneo de Manila University and specializes in areas such as: Feminist philosophy Political philosophy Multiculturalism Applied philosophy Ethics Populism and democratic theory His notable works include publications on topics like "Dutertismo" (analyzing the populism associated with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and its implications for democratic politics in the Philippines), Jürgen Habermas's deliberative democracy, political realism, and postcolonial studies.  His articles have appeared in journals such as Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture, Asian Journal of Social Science, Philippine Studies, and others.  He has delivered papers as a Plenary Speaker in the Union of Societies and Associat...

  Maricar Juaneza (full name Maricar U. Juaneza, MA) is a Filipino philosopher and academic based in Mindanao , Philippines. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Science and Philosophy at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato. Her educational background includes: Undergraduate degree in Philosophy from the University of the Philippines Diliman Master's degree (MA) in Philosophy from Ateneo de Davao University Her teaching and research interests focus on: Philosophy of language Post-modern philosophy Epistemology and contemporary philosophy Broader areas like peace & development , education , social studies , and interdisciplinary topics (e.g., personal growth initiatives among students, Chinese investments from a Mindanaoan perspective) She has been involved in: Academic events, workshops, and international discussions (e.g., on Chinese investments and media in the Philippines, co-paneling at USM-hosted events ...

Rogelio Bayod (often referred to as Rogelio P. Bayod or Dr. Roger Bayod) is a Filipino philosopher, ethicist, educator, and researcher based in Mindanao, Philippines. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Bioethics and specializes in: Indigenous ethics and indigenous peoples' rights Environmental ethics Applied ethics (including bioethics, technology ethics, and social justice) Development studies for indigenous communities Counseling, youth development, and related social sciences His professional roles have included: Professor teaching ethics, counseling, and research at institutions such as North Valley College (where he also serves as Quality Assurance Specialist) and Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) Former Professor and Director of Student Services at Cor Jesu College in Digos City Visiting Professor of Indigenous Development Studies at the American University of Sovereign Nations (AUSN) Active participant and contributor to the Social Ethics Society (SES) in the Philippine...

Oliver Perater (full name Oliver F. Perater) is a Filipino academic and philosopher from Mindanao, Philippines. He serves as an Assistant Professor IV in the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) , located in Iligan City. He holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy and is affiliated with the College of Arts and Social Sciences. He previously taught at the University of Mindanao in Davao City. His background includes: Descent from Mandaya and Manobo-Agusanon indigenous groups in Davao de Oro (formerly Compostela Valley), Mindanao. Prior experience as a seminarian at Nazareth Formation House. His work focuses on areas such as: Filipino thought and culture Decolonization Ethics Indigenous perspectives Social and cultural critique (e.g., analyses of traditions like "tagay" in social drinking, or musical decolonization through José Maceda's work) He has published articles in journals like the S...

Dr. Arnel Morte (full name often Arnel A. Morte or Arnel Abellon Morte, Ph.D.) is a Filipino philosopher and academic based in Mindanao, Philippines. He is an Associate Professor (or Professor of Philosophy) at Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Musuan, Bukidnon (also listed as Maramag in some profiles), where he teaches in the Department of Philosophy or related areas. His email is associated with cmu.edu.ph (e.g., f.arnel.morte@cmu.edu.ph). His expertise and research interests include: Ethics (applied ethics, epistemic ethics, political ethics) Logic Social Ontology (e.g., collective intentionality, collective recognition, Searle's theories) Political philosophy, nation-building, civic obligation, and democratic processes in the Philippine context. Key academic background: He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), with his dissertation titled "Searle's theory of collective intentionality: The case of internalism" from De La Salle University (Manila). Earlier degree...

Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera (often listed as Godiva C. Eviota-Rivera, Ph.D., or Godiva E. Rivera) is a Filipino academic and professor based in Mindanao, Philippines. She is a full professor at Mindanao State University (MSU) - Main Campus in Marawi City, where she is affiliated with the Department of Philosophy. Her expertise spans philosophy, language studies (including sociolinguistics and discourse analysis), and peace education/peacebuilding. Key details about her background and work: She holds a Master's in Philosophy from Ateneo de Manila University and a Ph.D. in Language Studies from MSU Marawi. She has also been pursuing or holds additional advanced studies in philosophy (e.g., at the University of San Carlos in Cebu). Her research interests focus on the intersections of philosophy, language, and peace, particularly in the context of Mindanao's socio-political and conflict-affected environment (e.g., Bangsamoro region). She has contributed to discussions on inclusive gov...

Gerry Arambala (full name often listed as Gerry F. Arambala) is a Filipino philosopher and academic based in Mindanao, Philippines. He specializes in social and political philosophy, with interests including democracy (particularly deliberative and radical democracy), ethics, metaphysics, and related areas like capability approaches (drawing from Amartya Sen), agonistic philosophy, and Filipino philosophy. His professional background includes: Serving as Chairperson (or Chair) of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at La Salle University in Ozamiz City. Affiliations with Mindanao State University – General Santos City (MSU GenSan), where he previously taught. He also taught at the University of San Carlos and Tabor Hill College in Cebu City, handling logic, metaphysics, and the philosophy of religion. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of San Agustin in Ilo-ilo City teaching philosophy. Graduate studies (MA in Philosophy) at the University of San Ca...

  The top philosophy scholars active in Mindanao today (as of 2026) are primarily affiliated with universities in the region, such as Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) and Mindanao State University (MSU) campuses. Philosophy in Mindanao often emphasizes social ethics, political philosophy, regional issues (including peacebuilding in the Bangsamoro context), and intersections with Filipino thought. Scholars from MSU campuses (e.g., Marawi and Iligan), where philosophy departments exist, though specific high-profile names are less centralized in national rankings. Faculty like those in Philosophy and Humanities at MSU-IIT and MSU- Main (e.g., Alvert Dalona, Fernando Garingo, and Godiva Eviota-Rivera) contribute to teaching and local philosophical work. Menelito Mansueto (from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology or MSU-IIT), who has written on Mindanao philosophers and engages in social ethics. Another figure with ongoing influence include the late Rolando Gripa...

  MULAT, the Philosophy Students Organization of the Holy Cross of Davao College, will be the lead student body assisting the SES in the conduct of the 16th Social Ethics Society Conference this coming February18-20,  2026.  The organization is led by its President, Mr. Noel Andrada II, a graduating BA Philosophy student. The Holy Cross of Davao College will host the latest edition of the annual event. A hundred academics are expected to attend.

  Facilitators for the Concurrent Discussions in the 16th Social Ethics Society Conference  1. Fr. Urbano Pardillo Jr (XACOSE) 2. Dr. Randy Tudy (USEP) 3. Mr. Menelito Mansueto (MSU-IIT) 4. Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera (MSU Main) 5. Dr. Ian Clark Parcon (AdDU) 6. Mr. Francis Jeus Ibañez (BISU)

Confirmation of Participation Kindly fill out the Google Form below if you are attending. If you have already filled out the Google Form sent via email, you don't need to fill out the form. Be sure to return the form by February 6, 2026. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVgWNW3eBkiYuHqqVBhynT3JjXw-hwJX4wePS2kT2tmxgSXQ/viewform Conference Venue The venue for the Plenary Lectures (Day 1-3) is at Conference Room, 5th Floor, Holy Cross of Davao College. The venues for the concurrent discussions are the following - Group A (Conference Room 5th Floor); Group B (Conference Room 5th Floor); Group C (Studio Room).  How to get to Holy Cross of Davao College From the airport, take a taxi to downtown Davao City. HCDC is located at Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City.  Registration Fees Registration is onsite. Professionals (presenter) 3,500; Professionals (non-presenter) 3,000; Grad student (presenter) 2,500; Grad student (non-presenter) 2,000; College student (presenter) 1,000.

 

  Geared towards transforming the social misconception that had led to countless revolts in the Mindanao region into a more truthful narrative, the book was written with a great epistemic effort. It deeply conceptualized for us 'radical' to value radical democracy in combating willful misconception, a major social ill. Only then can we achieve concrete peacebuilding in the Philippines and the world when epistemic violence is addressed through peaceful negotiation.  - Godiva Eviota-Rivera, PhD, Full Professor, MSU Main

  1. Donnalen Quezon (MSU-IIT) -  The Paradox of Justice: A Feminist Analysis of How the Philippine Legal System Reinforces Silence Among Rape Victims through Catharine MacKinnon’s Theory of the State 2. Najifah Macaraya & Erickson Totanes (MSU - GenSan) -  Thinking Peace: A Philosophical Approach to Inner and Social Harmony 3. Francis Matay-ao Jr. (Isabela State University) -  Principle-Centered Leadership: A Catalyst for Sustainable   Development in Higher Education Institutions 4. Shasell Ybanez (MSU-IIT) -  A Foucauldian Analysis of How Mega Influencers Reconfigure Knowledge and Desire in the Click-to-Bet Economy 5. Casey Tuazon & Shasell Ybanez (MSU-IIT) -  The Ethical Implications of David Poplar’s Concept of Play Framing in the Context of Body-Shaming Humor Toward Filipino Women: A Luna Dolezal Body and Shame Analysis 6. Marlon Naiz (Southern Christian College) -  Redefining Ecotourism: A Conservationist Analysis Based On Aldo Leop...