'People v. Dela Cruz': Bias in the jury room

The Corner Studio opens the 2026 Philippine theatre calendar with People v. Dela Cruz, a one-act satirical play written and directed by Eldrin Veloso. The production follows the same creative team behind Pilato and continues the company’s focus on social themes.

Set in a fictional first-ever jury trial in the Philippines, the play places six jurors inside a closed room tasked with deciding the fate of a single accused man.

As deliberations progress, legal discussion gives way to personal bias, politics, religious belief, social-media thinking, and emotional pressure. The play examines how judgment is formed, challenged, and distorted once consequences become immediate and irreversible.

“I’ve always been fascinated by how social media leaks into real life, and whether that online-offline line actually exists anymore,” Veloso shared. “We act like it does, but the real-world stats on mental health and suicide—among other things—tell another story.”

As the material developed, Veloso said the war on drugs under the previous administration became a key reference point for how quickly judgment, outrage, and dehumanization can translate into real-world consequences.

The play probes the consequences of online judgment when translated into real-world decisions, and whether a jury system can function under that pressure.

“Madalíng mang-judge as you can see people’s behavior online. But in this context where life is on the line, ready ka na ba talagang mang-judge?” Veloso asked. “The premise may be fictional but the social behavior we’re dramatizing is real. It is happening,” he added.

The production features an ensemble cast composed of Mark Aranal, Pauline Arejola, Althea Aruta, JP Basco, Rain de Jesus, Aaron Dioquino, and Emlyn Olfindo-Santos.

'People v. Dela Cruz' runs 16 January (7:00 PM); 17 January (3:00 PM and 7:00 PM); 23 January (7:00 PM); and 24 January (3:00 PM and 7:00 PM) at The Corner Studio, Sta. Mesa, Manila. Tickets are priced at PHP 800 here.