Sittie Carima L.

Rengia-Macataman October 24, 2022

Block C- Philosophy of Law

If someone lacks morality in his acts and thoughts, there may be little to no consequences;
nevertheless, if someone violates the law, there will be either minor or substantial punishments
applied. The law is an exterior notion, but morality is an inside concept. This suggests that if
someone lacks morality in his acts and thoughts, there may be few to no repercussions.

The law, consequently, should not be interpreted literally, which is why we formed a third
branch of government called the judicial branch, tasked with interpreting and administering the
law. We base our interpretations on religion, morality, liberty, justice, and conscience rather than
the exact meanings expressed by the law. Morality, according to a piece of writing published
online by Amulya Bhatia, is a collection of behavioral principles that define human behavior
within society but are not compelled to be followed by members of that community. Individuals'
conduct within society is controlled by both law and morality, indicating that they have a
substantial influence on one another. Furthermore, the moral responsibility imposed by the law
may be tied to morality, and the law itself may be related to morality.

Delving into the realm of Philippine Laws apart from the Shariah Law of Muslims may be quite
overwhelming for me as a Muslim lady who grew up in a Muslim community and was taught
about Muslim moral principles. There are numerous distinctions between each legal system, and
there are instances when I may dispute some provisions because I am unsure if I am subject to
one or the other set of regulations. I even possess concepts and opinions that are diametrically
opposed to the Islamic moral values I was taught with, which may have an influence on how
people in our community regard me.

For instance, during an interview, I was asked if I support legalizing prostitution in the
Philippines. I didn't think about it for long before answering yes, which surprised the Muslim
lawyer who asked me the question and prompted her to inquire whether I was a full or half-
Muslim because, according to her, it was the first time she had ever met a Muslim who supported
the legalization of prostitution in the Philippines. Of course, I had provided her with the reasons
why I thought my country should decriminalize prostitution. This type of profession, which I
believe is a very old one practiced centuries ago, is becoming more common, despite the fact that
it affects the moral standing of Filipinos around the world because we are known for our
conservative values and practices, but things are escalating and elaborating in the changing
modern times. Prostitution is becoming a thriving industry in the Philippines, but not as fervently
as it is in Thailand and Colombia. Furthermore, it has the potential to help reduce crime in the
Philippines as well as human trafficking to other countries. The majority of women who work in
this industry are obliged to do so due to poverty, homelessness, gender inequity, and even sex
discrimination. As a result, it is a career that women do not take lightly, nor do they make the
decision to enter it carelessly. It may be against the country's conventional moral notion, but its
economic aspect cannot be denied because it might enable women afford a better living than
other more risky and unlawful vocations.

As a law student, it might be challenging to create a balance between my personal moral stance,
my upbringing, and how the law is really applied. Divorce and polygamy, both of which are
clearly outlawed by Philippine law, are nevertheless sanctioned by our faith and fall within the
spectrum of lawful Muslim behavior. I, for one, would want to see such a rule of law modified
because of the disadvantages it puts on those individuals, specifically women, who suffer
significantly as a result of its unequal implementation and enforcement. It is difficult to study
and practice a legal system that is in some ways contradictory to what we practice in our
community, and even if I see unfairness in the application, there is little we can do about it
because being outspoken may jeopardize my position, whereas in the non-Muslim community,
we recognize freedom of speech. This makes it difficult to learn and practice a legal system that
is in some ways antithetical to what we do in our community. Although it may be more
challenging for me than for others because of my moral upbringing, it is a step on the path that
will lead me to the field of law, and it may help me discover my own philosophy of law and,
with it, the ideal balance between the legal system I am practicing and my moral paradigm.