ESCaliwan Law & Consulting Firm

12/02/2026

A Reminder to - Love Your Privacy

19/10/2025

18/10/2025

LEGAL ETHICS: ACCEPTANCE FEES

"On the other hand, acceptance fee refers to the charge imposed by the lawyer for mere acceptance of the case. The rationale for the fee is because once the lawyer agrees to represent a client, he is precluded from handling cases of the opposing party based on the prohibition on conflict of interest. The opportunity cost of mere acceptance is thus indemnified by the payment of acceptance fee. However, since acceptance fee compensates the lawyer only for lost opportunity, the same is not measured by the nature and extent of the legal services rendered."
— Sucgang-Perez v. Sore-Romano (2024)

30/09/2025

Atty. Emmanuel S. Caliwan, JD, MA (Cand.) is a Lawyer-Sociologist with academic training in sociology and law. He earned his BS in Sociology from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), his Juris Doctor from the University of the East (UE), and is currently pursuing his MA in Sociology at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

He also completed non-degree trainings in International Human Rights Law at Florida State University (FSU) and the Professional Course in Digital Governance and Cybersecurity at UP CIFAL Philippines and UNITAR.

His research focuses on decolonizing the 1987 Philippine Constitution, particularly the Regalian Doctrine, while his professional and scholarly interests include constitutional law, governance, data privacy, financial crimes, and environmental justice.

17/09/2025

Attended the webinar on "Where will AI lead the legal profession to: Ethical and business challenges for lawyers?" on 9 September 2025 organized by the International Bar Association.

29/08/2025

Completed Course: AI for Social Impact – Risks and Vulnerabilities

I have successfully completed the online course AI for Social Impact: Risks and Vulnerabilities, a program designed for policymakers, practitioners, and learners seeking to understand how Artificial Intelligence can be harnessed to drive ethical, responsible, and inclusive societal change.

The course provided a solid foundation in AI fundamentals, including key terminologies, generative AI, and practical applications, while also addressing the ethical considerations and governance challenges surrounding AI. Importantly, it highlighted emerging AI developments in Asia and the Pacific with a focus on their potential for social good.

28/08/2025

A historic milestone for climate justice: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has affirmed that the adverse effects of climate change directly impact the fundamental human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. This landmark recognition strengthens the linkage between environmental protection and human rights, reinforcing state obligations to act decisively against climate change. It also sets a powerful precedent for advancing global accountability and empowering communities most vulnerable to ecological harm.

28/08/2025

Excited to be back in the academe after a few years of hiatus! Grateful for the opportunity to share the knowledge and experiences I’ve gained during that time. Looking forward to teaching Criminal Law, Evidence, and Criminal Procedure, and to engaging with the next generation of criminal justice professionals.

28/08/2025

Squatters have no possessory rights over the land intruded upon. The length of time that they may have physically occupied the land is immaterial; they are deemed to have entered the same in bad faith, such that the nature of their possession is presumed to have retained the same character throughout their occupancy. [See Pilar Development Corp v. Dumadag, et al. G.R. 194336, 11 March 2013]