Book critical of PH Supreme Court launched in SF

Investigative journalist Marites Vitug answering questions at her book launch at the Philippine Consulate community hall.

SAN FRANCISCO—Award-winning investigative journalist Marites Vitug marked the U.S. release of her latest book, “Hour Before Dawn: The Fall and Uncertain Rise of the Philippine Supreme Court,” with a book signing on April 11 at the community hall of the Philippine Consulate in this city.

“Hour Before Dawn” takes the reader to what is arguably the “darkest hour of the Philippine Supreme Court,” when its integrity was compromised by the actions of its Chief Justice, who was subsequently impeached, and by a series of highly irregular reversals of its own rulings.

Vitug now serves as editor-at-large of online news site Rappler.com and president of the Journalism for Nation Building Foundation. The Philippine Consulate General cosponsored her book launching with the Philippine America Writers and Aritsts (PAWA) and the Literacy Initiatives International Foundation (LIIF).

Vitug briefly spoke about the process of writing the book, focusing on the in-depth research necessary to collect the information contained

Vitug signing books. (Photo by Rick Rocamora)

in “Hour Before Dawn.” gamely answered all questions about current political issues in the Philippines, ranging from judicial reform to overseas absentee voting. She stressed that active participation in democratic processes, particularly through voting, was an important part of instituting reform in any part of government.

Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon introduced Vitug and welcomed the audience consisting of members of the local chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and Filipino-American media. Elena Mangahas, a member of the Filipino Women’s Network (FWN) in San Francisco, moderated the lively question-and-answer that followed.

For more information on where and how to order Ms. Vitug’s book in the Bay Area, please contact Ms. Gemma Nemenzo at [email protected].