AVAILABLE ONLINE: Volume 68, Issue 3
Apr 14, 2025
As the celebration of Women’s Month has come to a close, the Third Issue of the Ateneo Law Journal's 68th Volume provides a timely collection of works on emerging women’s rights issues in the Philippine legal system.
The Issue opens with awe-inspiring Foreword articles penned by Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier and Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla whose words seamlessly capture the unwavering determination of Filipino women throughout history.
In the Article entitled "Reproductive Justice: What it Means for Filipino Women," Atty. Amparita S. Sta. Maria examines the prevailing norms surrounding the reproductive health rights of women, with a focus on the legislative progress toward reproductive justice. She offers a compelling critique of the controversial “pro-choice” viewed through the lens of health and empowerment.
Atty. Maria Roda L. Cisnero, in her Article "Titimbangin: Innocent Until Proven Guilty at the Expense of the Best Interests of the Child — Reflections on the Ramifications of People vs. Agao on Child Victim-Witnesses," explores the real-life implications of the Agao case on the treatment of child witnesses in the context of rape cases. Atty. Cisnero evaluates the judicial truths in Agao by providing a historical context that reflects the deeply-rooted patriarchal biases influencing the handling and resolution of rape cases in the country.
In the Note "Honor Her Name: Recognizing Violence Committed Against Transgender Women in Dating or Sexual Relationships as Violence Against Women and Their Children Under R.A. 9262," Atty. Yves Peter Carlo D. Medina seeks to address the gap in the Anti-VAWC Act regarding the protection of transgender women’s rights. The Note recommends amending the law to allow for the prosecution of violence committed against transgender women.
Collectively, the works in this Issue underscore the need to reexamine our legal framework to better reflect the lived realities of women. The Journal reaffirms its commitment to advancing justice through legal scholarship. To this end, this Issue serves not only as a reflection, but also as a renewed commitment to ensuring that every woman’s voice is heard, her rights are respected, and her dignity is celebrated.
