User:Davz09/sandbox

MANILA LAW COLLEGE (formerly Escuela de Derecho de Manila)

VISION

Manila Law College aims to be the leading private, non-sectarian institution of learning in the Philippines. Committed to the highest intellectual, moral and cultural standards, development and preparation of the youth through character building and quality legal education and practice to make them truly qualified to enter the noblest profession on earth, the career of a model Filipino lawyer.

MISSION

Guided by the Life Purpose and inspired by the vision, we commit ourselves to:

1. provide effective legal education by engaging tested services of competent, dedicated and honored members of BAR and Bench;

2. graduate lawyers imbued with intellect, faith and divine purpose ceaselessly ready to defend the constitutional and statutory rights to life, liberty and property of every citizen denied by anyone without due process and equal protection of law;

3. expose its students to the influence of men and women whose preparation and training, intellectual capacity, and moral values are exemplary;

4. encourage the participation of its faculty and students in civic and social programs and community projects for the amelioration of the plight of less privileged.

HISTORY ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Legal education in the Philippines From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Legal education in the Philippines is developed and offered by Philippine law schools, supervised by the Legal Education Board, that has replaced the Commission on Higher Education in respect to legal education. The Supreme Court regulates admission to the Bar and administers the Bar Examinations. Furthermore, the minimum curricular requirements for membership in the Philippine Bar are set forth in the Rules of Court promulgated by the Supreme Court. Law degree programs are considered graduate programs in the Philippines. As such, admission to law schools requires the completion of a bachelor's degree, with a sufficient number of credits or units in certain subject areas. Graduation from a Philippine law school constitutes the primary eligibility requirement for the Philippine Bar Examination, the national licensure examination for practicing lawyers in the country. The bar examination is administered by the Supreme Court during the month of September every year. Members of the bar in the Philippines are required to take mandatory continuing legal education in order to continue practicing their profession. Legal education in the Philippines normally proceeds along the following route: Undergraduate education (usually 4 years) Law school (usually 4 years) Admission to the bar (usually by taking a Philippine bar exam) Legal practice and mandatory continuing legal education Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Legal Systems 3 Law degree programs 3.1 Professional law degrees 3.2 Graduate law degrees 3.3 Honorary law degrees 3.4 Practicality 3.5 Ecclesiastical law degrees 3.6 Developments 4 Admission to the practice of law 4.1 Philippine Bar Examinations 4.2 Attorneys-at-law 5 Legal Education Board 6 Mandatory Continuing Legal Education 7 Philippine law schools 7.1 Ranking 8 Notable law schools 8.1 Oldest law schools 8.2 Bar Performance 8.2.1 Bar passing rate 8.2.2 Bar topnotchers 8.3 Law schools with prestigious alumni 9 External links 10 See also 11 References [edit]History

The University of Santo Tomas established its Faculties of Canon Law and Civil Law in 1733. From 1734 to 1800, of only 3,360 students, only 29 graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law, 8 with the degree of Licentiate in Civil Law and 3 with the degree of Doctor of Civil Law in that university.[1] In 1899, after the Malolos Constitution was ratified, the Universidad Literia de Filipinas was established in Malolos, Bulacan. It offered Law as well as Medicine, Surgery and Notary Public. In 1899, Felipe Calderon founded the Escuela de Derecho de Manila and adopted the name Manila Law College in 1924. The University of the Philippines opened its College of Law in 1910. There were around 50 Filipino and American students.[1] Justice Sherman Moreland of the Supreme Court of the Philippines was named its first Dean, but after he ultimately declined the position, he was replaced by George A. Malcolm, who is recognized as the college's first permanent dean. [edit]Legal Systems

The Philippine legal system is an amalgamation of the world's major systems. These systems include the Roman Civil Law which was inherited from Spain; the Anglo-American Common Law which were derived from the laws of the United States; and Islamic Law otherwise known as the Shariah Law of the Muslim world. [edit]Law degree programs

Law degrees in the Philippines may be classified into three types—professional, graduate level, and honorary. [edit]Professional law degrees In order to be eligible to take the bar examinations, one must complete one of the two professional degrees: The Bachelor of Laws (Ll.B.) program or the Juris Doctor (J.D.) program. Advanced degrees are offered by some law schools, but are not requirements for admission to the practice of law in the Philippines. Bachelor of Laws (Ll.B.) - The Ll.B. is the most common law degree offered and conferred by Philippine law schools. It is a standard four-year law program covering all bar exam subjects. Almost all law schools follow a standard LL.B. curriculum, wherein students are exposed to the required bar subjects. Other schools, like the University of the Philippines College of Law, allow students to substitute electives for bar review subjects offered in the fourth year of study.[2] Juris Doctor (J.D.) - The J.D. degree was developed and first conferred in the Philippines by the Ateneo Law School in 1991. The J.D. program is a four-year law program. Like the standard Ll.B. program, the J.D. curriculum covers the core subjects required for the bar examinations. Unlike the Ll.B., the Ateneo J.D. program requires students to finish the core bar subjects in 2½ years, take elective subjects, undergo an apprenticeship, and prepare and defend a thesis.[3] Aside from the Ateneo, other law schools offer the J.D.: the University of Batangas College of Law,[2] and just recently, the University of the Philippines College of Law [4] The change in degree title from Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) to Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of the Philippines was approved by its president, Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman, on July 31, 2007. In 2009, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Law and the Silliman University College of Law started its own J.D. curriculum.[5][6] The Central Philippine University in Iloilo City will start to offer this degree by second semester of 2010.[7] University of St. La Salle in Bacolod city is also offering a J.D. program.[citation needed] Juris Doctor-Master of Business Administration, (J.D.-M.B.A.), - The J.D.-M.B.A. program is a double degree program in law and management offered at the graduate level. It was introduced and is so far offered only by the La Salle-FEU MBA-JD Program, a consortium of Far Eastern University Institute of Law and De La Salle Graduate School of Business. Under this program, the requirements of the J.D. and M.B.A. programs are satisfied by the taking of concurrent units of study, allowing students to complete the program in five instead of six years.[2] [edit]Graduate law degrees Beyond the J.D. or Ll.B., members of the Philippine bar have the option of pursuing graduate degrees in law. Master of Laws (LL.M.) - The Ll.M. is a graduate law degree offered to holders of basic law degrees (LL.B. and J.D.). It is generally offered to law graduates and lawyers of any nationality. Six Philippine law schools so far conduct the program--the Ateneo Law School, which offers an International Master of Laws program; the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, which first offered the LLM; University of Manila College of Law; Manuel L. Quezon University College of Law; San Beda Graduate School of Law; and PLM Graduate School of Law of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila). LL.M. programs were once offered by the Far Eastern University Institute of Law, the Escuela de Derecho de Manila (now Manila Law College Foundation), and the University of the Philippines College of Law but were eventually phased out due to lack of enrollment and funding.[2] Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.) - The D.C.L. program is a doctoral program in law offered to holders of the LL.M degree. Candidates who hold only LL.B. degrees may be admitted upon completion of prerequisite LL.M. subjects. The D.C.L. was pioneered by the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. Their program structure is highly similar to the D.C.L. offered in the Complutense University of Madrid.[8] The PLM Graduate School of Law has already opened its own D.C.L. program.[9] Doctor of Jurisprudential Science (S.J.D. or J.S.D.) - The S.J.D. or J.S.D. program is currently offered only by the San Beda Graduate School of Law. While the candidate for the degree is required some academic units, the grant of the degree relies on the candidates research output as well as his or her participation in international symposia, seminars and programs as lecturer, panel presenter or paper presenter. The candidate presents a doctoral dissertation that is argued before a Panel of Oral Examiners and then delivers a 'lectio coram' -- a lecture in the presence of legal luminaries. The Graduate School of Law of San Beda College is currently the only graduate school of law in the country offering this degree. [edit]Honorary law degrees Some Philippine universities also confer the honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degree. It is given to famous individuals who, in the discretion of the awarding institution, were found to have made significant contributions to a certain field, or to the improvement of society or development of the conditions of mankind in general. Honorary law doctorates in the past include: former Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia (LL.D., honoris causa, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan)[10] King Juan Carlos I of Spain (LL.D., honoris causa, University of Santo Tomas)[11] UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura (LL.D., honoris causa, University of Santo Tomas)[11] former International Court of Justice Judge Cesar Bengzon (LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas) [11][12] former United Nations General Assembly President Carlos P. Romulo (Ll.D., honoris causa, University of Santo Tomas and University of the East)[11][13] former Philippine President Corazon Aquino (LL.D., honoris causa, University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas)[11][13] former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos (LL.D., honoris causa, University of the East)[13] former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay (LL.D., honoris causa, University of the East)[13] former Philippine Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban (LL.D., honoris causa, University of Iloilo)[14] Canadian Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin, P.C. (LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila University)[12] former Philippine First Lady Aurora Aragon Quezon (LL.D., honoris causa, University of Santo Tomas)[11] former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos (LL.D., honoris causa, University of the Philippines).[13] Philippine Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (LL.D., honoris causa, Centro Escolar University and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan)[15][16] former Philippine Senator Raul Manglapus (LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila University)[12] former Philippine Commission on Elections Chairman Christian Monsod (LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila University)[12] former Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice and currently a Truth Commissioner Hilario Davide, Jr. (LL.D., honoris causa, University of San Carlos)[12] founder of Chronicle Broadcasting Network Don Eugenio Lopez, Sr. (LL.D., honoris causa, Silliman University)[17] [edit]Practicality While advanced law degrees (LL.M., D.C.L., S.J.D., LL.D.) may elevate a lawyer's standing in academic settings, the basic law degree (LL.B., J.D.) remains the most important academic qualification to be admitted to the practice of law in the Philippines.[18] [edit]Ecclesiastical law degrees A few Roman Catholic seminaries and graduate schools offer degree programs in Canon Law, an ecclesiastical program that is not required in the Philippine Bar Examinations.The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Canon Law runs the oldest academic programs of this kind. Its Licentiate of Canon Law (J.C.L.) and Doctor of Canon Law (J.C.D.) programs are open to priests, nuns, theologians, and even to lay people (i.e., trial court judges, law deans, family lawyers etc.). Judges of the Roman Catholic Marriage Tribunal typically hold academic degrees in the field.[19] Degrees in canon law, strictly speaking, are not considered law degrees in the Philippines. [edit]Developments There is a move among members of the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS) to convert their Ll.B. programs into J.D. curricula.[3] There are currently two possible directions for the change: First, the conversion of Ll.B. programs through adopting a model substantially similar to the J.D. curriculum introduced by the Ateneo de Manila Law School (the J.D. Programs of the FEU-La Salle consortium and the University of Batangas Law School are of this mold), and second, simply changing the name of the degree conferred from “Ll.B.” to “J.D.” while essentially retaining the same course offerings as those in the DECS Model Law Curriculum (DECS Order No. 27, series of 1989).[3] [edit]Admission to the practice of law

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines has given the Supreme Court the sole power to admit individuals to the practice of law in the Philippines.[20] This power is exercised through a Bar Examination Committee, an ad hoc academic group tasked to formulate questions, administer proceedings, grade examinations, rank candidates, and release the results of the Philippine Bar Examination. To be eligible to take the national bar exam, a candidate must be a Filipino citizen, at least twenty-one years of age, and holder of a bachelor's degree and a law degree obtained from a government recognized law school in the Philippines. Graduates of law schools from other countries must obtain a law degree from the Philippines to qualify for the Philippine Bar.[21] In March 2010 the Supreme court issued Bar matter 1153 allowing Filipino who are foreign law graduates to take the Bar exam provided that applicant complies with the following conditions: a) completion of all courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Laws or its equivalent degree; (b) recognition or accreditation of the law school by the proper authority; and (c) completion of all fourth year subjects in the Bachelor of Laws academic program in a law school duly recognized by the Philippine Government d) must have completed a separate bachelors degree.” [edit]Philippine Bar Examinations The Philippine Bar Examinations is the national licensure exam for admission to the practice of law. It is conducted during the four Sundays of September of every year. It is arguably the hardest and the most media-covered of all government licensure examinations in the country.[22] It is also reputedly one of the hardest bar examinations in the world.[23] For candidates intending to practice Islamic law in the Philippines, the Special Bar Exams for Shari’a Court Lawyers is given every two years. The Supreme Court Bar Office conducts the exam while the Office of Muslim Affairs determines the qualification and eligibility of candidates to the exams.[24] [edit]Attorneys-at-law To be a full-fledged lawyer in the Philippines and be eligible to use the title Attorney, a candidate must graduate from a Philippine law school, take and pass the Philippine Bar Examinations, take the Attorney's Oath, and sign his name in the Rolls of Attorneys of the Supreme Court.[25] The full names of lawyers are found in the Rolls of Attorneys of the Supreme Court, and in a similar list included in a Supreme Court publication entitled Law List.[26] [edit]Legal Education Board

The Legal Education Board supervises all law schools and continuing legal education providers in the Philippines.[27] The Board is headed by a Chairman who is a retired justice of a collegiate court (i.e., Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, Court of Tax Appeals, etc.). Regular members of the Board include a representative from each of the following:[27] Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS) Philippine Association of Law Professors (PALP) active law practitioners bonafide law students The Board has made legal reforms which include—the stricter selection of law students and law professors; improvements in quality of instruction and facilities of law schools; provisions for legal apprenticeship of law students; and the requirement of attendance to continuing legal education seminars for practicing attorneys.[27] [edit]Mandatory Continuing Legal Education

Lawyers with names appearing in the Rolls of Attorneys of the Supreme Court, unless disbarred, are all members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).[28] However, to be IBP members of good standing, lawyers are required to complete, every three years, at least thirty-six hours of continuing legal education seminars approved by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee (MCLE). Members who fail to comply shall pay a non-compliance fee, and shall be listed as a delinquent member.[29] The Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Office, established by the Supreme Court, is the official government agency tasked to implement compliance with the MCLE requirement.[29] The MCLE Office is headed by former Supreme Court Justice Carolina C. Grino-Aquino, widow of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Ramon Aquino. Its office is located at the fourth floor of the IBP Building in Ortigas Center. Some of the most notable MCLEO staff are as follows: 1. Crisanto Carrillo Jr. 2. Jaime Gonzales Jr. 3. Joel Pastor 4. Jayson del Rosario 5. Edison Discimulacion 6. Sunie de Leon 7. Bong Mesina 8. Sherwin Peter Seriosa 9. Amor Tuazon-del Rosario 10. Felicisma Bet Perea 11. Minerva Sancho 12. Sheryl Atienza 13. Micheal Cawa 14. Liza Sevilla 15. Leny dela Cruz [edit]Philippine law schools

There are one-hundred-five (105) law schools[30][31] legitimately operating throughout the Philippines. These include independent law schools, resident colleges, and affiliated units of much larger private and public universities:[32] [edit]Ranking Law schools with the highest bar passing rates from 1996 to 2005 include: Schools with 30 or less examinees: Ateneo de Davao College of Law - 65.57% University of San Carlos - 54.45% Arellano University - 46.18% Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, College of Law - 41.26% Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan - 37.45% Lyceum of the Philippines University - 32.40% Saint Louis University - 31.38%[15] Schools with more than 30 examinees: Ateneo de Manila Law School - 89.19% San Beda College of Law - 85.27% University of the Philippines College of Law - 85.19% University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law - 56.70% Far Eastern University Institute of Law - 26.25% University of the East College of Law - 26.23% Name	Location Adamson University College of Law	900 San Marcelino Street, Ermita, Manila Aemilianum College, College of Law	Rizal Street, Piot, Sorsogon City Aklan Catholic College College of Law	Archbishop Reyes Street, Kalibo, Aklan Andres Bonifacio College	College Park, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte Aquinas University College of Law	2-S King's Building, JAA Penaranda Street, Legazpi City, Albay Araullo University College of Law	Maharlika Highway, Bitas, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija Arellano University Law Foundation	Taft Avenue & Menlo Street, Pasay City Ateneo de Davao College of Law	Jacinto Street, Davao City Ateneo Law School	20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City Ateneo de Zamboanga University College of Law	La Purisima Street, Zamboanga City Proposed 2011 Basilan State College, College of Law	Sumagdang, Isabela City, Basilan Bicol Colleges	Daraga, Albay Bukidnon State University	Fortich Street, Malabalay, Bukidnon Bulacan State University College of Law	McArthur Highway, Malolos City, Bulacan Cagayan Colleges-Tuguegarao	College Avenue, Tuguegarao, Cagayan Cagayan State University	Caritan, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Camarines Norte School of Law	Itomang, Talisay, Camarines Norte Central Philippine University College of Law	Lopez Jaena Street, Jaro, Iloilo City Centro Escolar University School of Law and Jurisprudence in Makati	Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City Christ the King College	Magsaysay Blvd., Calbayog City, Samar Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion	1 Arzobispo Street, Roxas City, Capiz Cor Jesu College	Sacred Heart Avenue, Digos, Davao del Sur Cordillera College	Bugayan, La Trinidad, Benguet De La Salle University College of Law	2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila De La Salle Lipa College of Law	Lipa, Batangas Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University College of Law, Mid-La Union Campus	Catbangen, City of San Fernando, La Union Dr. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Education Foundation, Inc.	Real Street, Tacloban City, Leyte East Central Colleges	B. Mendoza Street, San Fernando City, Pampanga Far Eastern University Institute of Law	Nicanor Reyes Sr. St. (formerly Morayta Street), Sampaloc, Manila (The La Salle-FEU MBA-JD Program is offered at De La Salle Professional Schools, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave., Makati City. It is offered in consortium with the De La Salle Graduate School of Business.) Fr. Saturnino Urios University College of Law	San Francisco St. & J.C. Aquino Avenue, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte Fernandez College of Arts and Technology	Gil Carlos Street, Baliuag, Bulacan Foundation University College of Law	Dr. Miciano Street, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental Harvardian Colleges	Lourdes Street, San Fernando City, Pampanga Holy Name University College of Law	Lesage & Gallares Streets, Tagbilaran City, Bohol Jose Rizal University College of Law	82 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City Leyte Colleges	Zamora St., Tacloban City Liceo de Cagayan University College of Law	Rodolfo N. Pelaez Blvd., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City Luna Goco Colleges	Lalud, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro Lyceum of the Philippines University College of Law	L.P. Leviste Street, Makati City Lyceum-Northwestern University College of Law	Amado Street, Dagupan City, Pangasinan Manila Law College Foundation (formerly Escuela de Derecho de Manila)	Sales Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila Manuel L. Quezon University College of Law	R. Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation College of Law	Foundation St., Lucena City, Quezon Masbate Colleges	Rosero Street, Masbate City, Masbate Medina Colleges	Manengcol, Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental Mindanao State University College of Law	Marawi City, Lanao del Sur Misamis University College of Law	Bonifacio St., Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental New Era University College of Law	Barangay New Era, Diliman, Quezon City Negros Oriental State University College of Law	Kagawasan Avenue, Dumaguete City Northeastern College	Maharlika Highway, Villasis, Santiago City, Isabela Northwestern University College of Law	Airport Avenue, Laoag City Notre Dame University College of Law	Notre Dame Avenue, Cotabato City Pagadian College of Criminology & Sciences	Rizal Avenue, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Norte Palawan State University College of Law	Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Law	Gen. Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila Philippine Advent College	Dapaon Street, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte Philippine Law School	F.B. Harrison Street, Pasay City Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Law	Santa Mesa, Manila Samar College	Mabini Avenue, Catbalogan City, Samar San Beda College of Law	Mendiola Street, San Miguel, Manila San Beda College of Law in Alabang	Don Manolo Boulevard, Alabang Hills, Muntinlupa City San Pablo Colleges	Hermanos Belen Street, San Pablo City, Laguna San Sebastian College - Recoletos College of Law	Claro M. Recto Avenue, Manila Saint Louis College	Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union Saint Louis University School of Law	Bonifacio Street, Baguio City Saint Mary's University College of Law	Ponce Street, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya Silliman University College of Law	Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental Southwestern University College of Law	Urgillo Street, Sambag District, Cebu City Tabaco Colleges	Cabiles Avenue, Tabaco, Albay University of Batangas College of Law	M.H. del Pilar Street, Batangas City University of Bohol College of Law	Maria Clara Street, Tagbilaran City University of Cebu College of Law	Sanciangko St., Cebu City University of Cebu - Banilad College of Law	Banilad, Cebu City University of the Cordilleras College of Law	Harrison Road, Baguio City University of the East College of Law	Claro M. Recto Avenue, Manila University of Eastern Philippines College of Law	University Town, Catarman, Northern Samar University of Iloilo College of Law	Rizal & Iznart Streets, Iloilo City University of Luzon College of Law	Perez Blvd., Dagupan City, Pangasinan University of Manila College of Law	MV delos Santos Street, Sampaloc, Manila University of Mindanao College of Law	Bolton Street, Davao City University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos School of Law	Libertad Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental University of Nueva Caceres College of Law	Jaime Hernandez Street, Naga City, Camarines Sur University of Perpetual Help System DALTA College of Law	Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona, Las Piñas City University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA College of Law	Santo Niño, Biñan, Laguna University of San Agustin College of Law	Gen. Luna Street, Iloilo City University of San Carlos College of Law	P. del Rosario Street, Cebu City University of San Jose-Recoletos College of Law	Magallanes Street, Cebu City University of St. La Salle College of Law	La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law	España Blvd., Sampaloc, Manila University of Southern Philippines Foundation College of Law	Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City University of the Philippines College of Law	Diliman, Quezon City University of the Visayas College of Law	Colon Street, Cebu City Virgen de los Remedios College	10 Fontaine St., East Bajac-bajac, Olongapo City Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation College of Law	Martin P. Posadas Avenue, San Carlos City, Pangasinan Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan College of Law	Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City Western Mindanao State University College of Law	Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City [edit]Notable law schools

[edit]Oldest law schools The fifteen oldest law schools are as follows:[1] University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, established in 1734, is the oldest law school in the Philippines. In 1734, the University of Santo Tomas opened a Faculty of Civil Law and a Faculty of Canon Law. From 1734 to 1800 (66 years), out of 3,360 students, only 40 students graduated from various law programs: 29 in Bachelor of Civil Law, 8 in Licentiate in Civil Law, and 3 in Doctor of Law, reflecting the rigid training in these courses. The school has produced four Philippine Presidents, three Vice Presidents, and six Chief Justices of the Philippine Supreme Court. Universidad Literia Filipinas, established in 1898, was the second oldest law school in the country. It is no longer operating. The university was established in Malolos, Bulacan and offered programs in law and notary public. The school later moved to Tarlac. Escuela de Derecho de Manila (now Manila Law College Foundation) was established in 1899. Don Felipe Calderon, author of the 1899 Malolos Constitution, founded the school. In 1924, the school was renamed the Manila Law School. It was further renamed Manila Law College Foundation. University of the Philippines College of Law, established in 1910, is the flagship law school of state colleges and universities in the Philippines. In 1910, the College of Law of the University of the Philippines opened with fifty (50) Filipino and American students. Justice Sherman Moreland of the Philippine Supreme Court was named as the first dean, but after he ultimately declined the post, he was replaced by George A. Malcolm, the first permanent dean of the College. The school has dominated past and present memberships in the Philippine Supreme Court and other collegiate courts. Philippine Law School was established in 1915. Former Presidents Diosdado Macapagal and Carlos P. Garcia attended the school. University of Manila College of Law was established in 1918. Cecilia Muñoz Palma, the first woman to be appointed Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court and the President of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, earned her Master of Laws from this institution. Far Eastern University Institute of Law, established in 1934, is the alma mater of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, former Philippine Court of Appeals Presiding Justices Oscar Herrera and Salome A. Montoya, and Sandiganbayan senior associate justice Edilberto Sandoval. Silliman University College of Law was established in 1935 with a class of 22 freshmen. Carlos P. Garcia, 4th President of the Republic of the Philippines took law subjects in the school before finally proceeding to the Philippine Law School. Atty. Felix Gaudiel, a long serving dean of the college was a member of the 1973 Constitutional Convention.[33][34][35] Southern College of Law was established in 1935. It is no longer operating. Ateneo de Manila Law School, established in 1936, is the alma mater of former Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee, 1986 Constitutional Commissioner Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J.., and former Philippine Vice President Teofisto Guingona. University of San Carlos College of Law in Cebu City, was established in 1937. It is the only law school in the Visayas and Mindanao to be granted license by the Supreme Court to have a Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP), whereby its senior students are allowed to handle actual cases in the court with the assistance and under the guidance of a licensed member of the Bar. Likewise, it is the first law school outside Manila to be accredited by the Supreme Court to conduct Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) seminar for lawyers.[36] The Arellano University School of Law, formerly as the Arellano Law College and officially as Arellano Law Foundation, was established in 1938. It formed the early beginnings of Arellano University. Popular broadcaster and former Leyte Representative Ted Failon, former Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Manuel Gaviola, former Senator Francisco Sumulong, and former Congressman Jose Zafra attended the school. University of San Agustin School of Law was established in 1939. Francisco Law School was established in 1940. It is now defunct. Manuel L. Quezon University was established in 1947. San Beda College of Law, was founded in 1948. Famous alumni include former Senator and Education Secretary Raul Roco, former Senator Rene Saguisag, and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Florenz D. Regalado who holds the highest bar exam grade in the history of the Philippine Bar Examinations. [edit]Bar Performance [edit]Bar passing rate The bar passing rate is the proportion of successful bar exam passers in relation to the total number of bar exam takers coming from a particular law school. The national bar passing rate (proportion of all bar exam passers in relation to all bar exam takers) changes every year, and has gone from an all-time high of 75.17% in 1954 to an all-time low of 16.59% in 1999.[37] Law schools with the highest average bar passing rates from 1996 to 2005 include: Schools with 30 or less examinees: Ateneo de Davao University College of Law - 65.57% University of San Carlos - 54.45% Arellano University - 46.18% Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Law - 41.26% Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan - 37.45% Lyceum of the Philippines University - 32.40% Saint Louis University, Baguio City - 31.38%[38] [39] [edit]Bar topnotchers Bar topnotchers are bar examinees who garnered the highest bar exam grades in a particular year. Every year, the Supreme Court releases the bar top ten list. The list contains the names of bar examinees who obtained the ten highest grades. It is possible for more than ten examinees to place in the top ten because numerical ties in the computation of grades usually occur.[40] Schools which have produced bar topnotchers (1st placers)[41] include: University of the Philippines College of Law - forty-nine (49) bar topnotchers Ateneo de Manila Law School - nineteen (19) bar topnotchers San Beda College of Law - seven (7) bar topnotchers Philippine Law School - seven (7) bar topnotchers University of Manila - six (6) bar topnotchers Far Eastern University Institute of Law - three (3) bar topnotchers University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law - three (3) bar topnotchers University of the Cordilleras (formerly Baguio Colleges Foundation) College of Law - two (2) bar topnotchers Manila Law College Foundation (formerly Escuela de Derecho de Manila) - one (1) bar topnotcher Manuel L. Quezon University College of Law - one (1) bar topnotcher Divine Word College - one (1) bar topnotcher University of the East College of Law - one (1) bar topnotcher San Sebastian College Institute of Law - one (1) bar topnotcher Two bar examinees topped the bar exams without graduating from any Philippine law school: Jose Diokno - former Senator of the Philippines; 1st placer, 1945 bar exams Carolina C. Griño-Aquino - former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; 1st placer, 1950 bar exams In the past, non-law school graduates were allowed to take the bar. However, the Revised Rules of Court and Supreme Court Circulars allow only Philippine law graduates to take the bar, necessarily excluding non-law graduates and foreign law graduates from taking part in the exercise. [edit]Law schools with prestigious alumni The quality of law schools is often measured by the prestige, influence, or wealth of famous law alumni.[22] Some of the law schools and their famous alumni include: Ateneo de Manila Law School alumni:[42] Teofisto Guingona - former Vice President of the Philippines Claudio Teehankee - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Adolfo Azcuna - Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Renato Corona - Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Jose Miguel Arroyo - First Gentleman of the Philippines Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J. - Member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission Alan Peter Cayetano - Senator of the Philippines Ignacio Bunye - Presidential Spokesman Arturo D. Brion - former Secretary of Labor and Employment; Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Rolando Andaya Jr. - former Secretary of Budget and Management Sergio Apostol - Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Ernesto Maceda - former Senate President Hernando Perez - former Secretary of Justice Merceditas Gutierrez - Philippine Ombudsman; former Secretary of Justice Agnes Devanadera - Acting Secretary of Justice; former Solicitor-General; former Government Corporate Counsel Michael P. Elbinias - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Evelio Javier, former Governor of Antique Far Eastern University Institute of Law alumni:[43] Corazon Aquino - former President of the Philippines Artemio Panganiban - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Court of Appeals Presiding Justice and Remedial Law expert Oscar Herrera Jose Nolledo - Member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, delegate of the 1971 Constitutional Convention Salome Montoya - former Presiding Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Eliezer R. de los Santos - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Juan Q. Enriquez Jr. - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Edilberto Sandoval - Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan (Philippine Anti-Graft Court) Manuel Collantes - former Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to the United Nations Sedfrey Ordonez - former Solicitor General, Secretary of Justice, Ambassador to the United Nations, and Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights Edgar Ilarde - former Senator of the Philippines Wenceslao Lagumbay - former Senator of the Philippines Neptali Gonzales Jr. - former Mayor of Mandaluyong City and Majority Floor Leader of the Philippine House of Representatives San Beda College of Law alumni:[44] Florenz D. Regalado - former Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, obtained the highest rating in entire history of the Philippine Bar Examinations Raul Roco - former Senator, Education Secretary, 1998 & 2004 presidential candidate Rene Saguisag - former Senator and Human Rights Lawyer Ramon V. Mitra - former Speaker of the House of Representatives and 1992 presidential Candidate Antonio Eduardo Nachura - Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, former Solicitor-General Jose Catral Mendoza - Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Justo P. Torres, Jr. - Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Antonio Martinez - Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Romeo Callejo, Sr. - Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Gregory S. Ong - Associate Justice of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan Rodolfo Ponferrada, Sr. - Associate Justice of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan Eugenio Labitoria - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Eloy Bello, Jr. - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Bienvenido Reyes - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Francisco Acosta - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Mario Lopez - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Antonio Eugenio, Jr. - President, Philippine Judges Association Sixto Brillantes, Jr. - Election law expert Rodrigo Roa Duterte - Mayor, Davao City and former Congressman, Davao City Leila de Lima - Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights Oscar Moreno - Governor, Misamis Oriental and former Congressman, First District of Misamis Oriental University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law alumni:[45] Manuel L. Quezon - former President of the Philippines Sergio Osmeña - former President of the Philippines Jose P. Laurel - former President of the Philippines Diosdado Macapagal - former President of the Philippines Emmanuel Pelaez - former Vice President of the Philippines Fernando Lopez - former Vice President of the Philippines Arturo Tolentino - former Vice President of the Philippines Cayetano Arellano - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Victorino Mapa - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Manuel Araullo - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Ramon Avanceña - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Roberto Concepcion - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Andres Narvasa - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court and Chairman, Preparatory Commission for Constitutional Reform Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez- Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Rosalinda Asuncion Vicente - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Monina Arevalo Zenarosa - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Diosdado Peralta- Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan (Philippine Anti-Graft Court) Raul Gonzalez - Secretary of Justice and former Tanodbayan (Special Prosecutor) Arturo Buena - former Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court and Presiding Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals Bernardo Pardo - former Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court and Commission on Elections Chairman Alfredo Benipayo - former Commission on Elections Chairman, Solicitor General, and Supreme Court Administrator University of the Philippines College of Law alumni (Associate Justices not included; For a more comprehensive list, see List of University of the Philippines College of Law alumni):[46] Jose P. Laurel - former President of the Philippines Manuel Roxas - former President of the Philippines Elpidio Quirino - former President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos - former President of the Philippines Pia Cayetano - Senator of the Philippines Aquilino Pimentel III - Senator of the Philippines Jose Yulo - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Ricardo Paras - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Cesar Bengzon - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Fred Ruiz Castro - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Enrique Fernando - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Felix Makasiar - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Querube Makalintal - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Pedro Yap - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Ramon Aquino - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Marcelo Fernan - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Hilario Davide Jr. - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Reynato Puno - current Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Cecilia Muñoz Palma - President of the Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986 and first woman Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court [edit]External links

Supreme Court of the Philippines Integrated Bar of the Philippines Commission on Higher Education, Republic of the Philippines List of Philippine Bar Topnotchers, 1913–2007 [edit]See also

Philippine Bar Examinations Integrated Bar of the Philippines Supreme Court of the Philippines [edit]References

^ a b c Jorge Coquia. The Legal Profession. Rex Book Store, 1993.