Legal education in the Philippines
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
: 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.
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.
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:
, an ecclesiastical program that is not required in the Philippine Bar Examination
s.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. Degrees in canon law, strictly speaking, are not considered law degrees in the Philippines.
has given the Supreme Court the sole power to admit individuals to the practice of law in the Philippines
. 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. 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.”
s 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. It is also reputedly one of the hardest bar examinations in the world.
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.
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.
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.
(IBP).
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.
The Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Office, established by the Supreme Court, is the official government agency tasked to implement compliance with the MCLE requirement.
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
. These include independent law schools, resident colleges, and affiliated units of much larger private and public universities:
Excellence in Legal Education (top five)
Outstanding Law Schools (rest of the top ten)
Law schools with the highest average bar passing rates from 1996 to 2005 include:
Schools with more than 30 examinees:
Schools with 30 or less examinees:
In the 2006 bar examinations, Basilan State University's lone bar candidate passed, giving the school a 100% passing rate.
Schools which have produced bar topnotchers (1st placers) include:
Two bar examinees topped the bar exams without graduating from any Philippine law school:
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.
Some of the law schools and their famous alumni include:
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
is developed and offered by Philippine law schools, supervised by the Legal Education Board, that has replaced the Commission on Higher Education
Commission on Higher Education (Philippines)
The Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines, , abbreviated as CHED. The CHED is attached to the Office of the President for administrative purposes...
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
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
, 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
Philippine Bar Examination
The Philippine Bar Examination is the professional licensure examination for lawyers in the Philippines.It is the only professional licensure exam in the country that is not supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission...
, 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
History
The University of Santo TomasUniversity of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
established its Faculties of Canon Law
University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies
The University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies are the ecclesiastical schools of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.Ecclesiastical Faculties consist of academic programs being offered since the University was...
and Civil Law
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law
The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" , is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
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.
In 1899, after the Malolos Constitution
Malolos Constitution
The Malolos Constitution was enacted on January 20, 1899 by the Philippine Malolos Congress, and established the First Philippine Republic. The original was written in Spanish, which became the first official language of the Philippines....
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.
Justice Sherman Moreland of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
was named its first Dean, but after he ultimately declined the position, he was replaced by George A. Malcolm
George A. Malcolm
George A. Malcolm was an American lawyer who emerged as an influential figure in the development of the practice of law in the Philippines in the 20th century. At age 35, he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, where he would serve for 19 years...
, who is recognized as the college's first permanent dean.
Legal Systems
The Philippine legal system is an amalgamation of the world's major systems. These systems include the RomanRoman law
Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome, and the legal developments which occurred before the 7th century AD — when the Roman–Byzantine state adopted Greek as the language of government. The development of Roman law comprises more than a thousand years of jurisprudence — from the Twelve...
Civil Law
Civil law (legal system)
Civil law is a legal system inspired by Roman law and whose primary feature is that laws are codified into collections, as compared to common law systems that gives great precedential weight to common law on the principle that it is unfair to treat similar facts differently on different...
which was inherited from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
; the Anglo-American
Law of the United States
The law of the United States consists of many levels of codified and uncodified forms of law, of which the most important is the United States Constitution, the foundation of the federal government of the United States...
Common Law
Common law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
which were derived from the laws of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
; and Islamic Law
Islamic law
Islamic law can refer to:*Sharia: The code of conduct enjoined upon Muslims in the Quran*Fiqh: Muslim jurisprudence...
otherwise known as the Shariah Law of the Muslim world.
Law degree programs
Law degrees in the Philippines may be classified into three types—professional, graduate level, and honorary.Professional law degrees
In order to be eligible to take the bar examinations, one must complete one of the two professional degreesFirst professional degree
A professional degree prepares the holder for a particular profession by emphasizing competency skills along with theory and analysis. These professions are typically licensed or otherwise regulated by a governmental or government-approved body...
: The Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
(Ll.B.) program or the Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
(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 LawsBachelor of LawsThe Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
(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 LawUniversity of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of Law or UP Law is the law school of the University of the Philippines. Since 1948, it has been located at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, the flagship campus of UP's seven constituent universities. Until the 1970s, night classes of...
, allow students to substitute electives for bar review subjects offered in the fourth year of study.
- Juris DoctorJuris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
(J.D.) - The J.D. degree was developed and first conferred in the Philippines by the Ateneo Law SchoolAteneo Law SchoolThe Ateneo de Manila Law School is the law school of the Ateneo de Manila University, a private Jesuit university in the Philippines. It was founded in 1936, in the Padre Faura, Manila campus of the Ateneo, where it remained even after the college, graduate school, and basic education units moved...
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. Aside from the Ateneo, other law schools offer the J.D.: the University of Batangas College of Law, and just recently, the University of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of Law or UP Law is the law school of the University of the Philippines. Since 1948, it has been located at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, the flagship campus of UP's seven constituent universities. Until the 1970s, night classes of...
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 LawSilliman University College of LawThe Silliman University College of Law is one of the constituent colleges of Silliman University, a private university in Dumaguete City, Philippines. The college was founded in 1935 with Emilio Javier and Felix Gaudiel as pioneers...
started its own J.D. curriculum. The Central Philippine UniversityCentral Philippine UniversityCentral Philippine University is a non-stock, non-profit Christian institution of higher learning in Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines. It was founded in 1905 by American Baptist missionaries as an elementary school for poor boys which eventually opened up a high school in 1920. It converted into...
in Iloilo CityIloilo CityThe City of Iloilo is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines and the capital city of Iloilo province. It is the regional center of the Western Visayas, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area...
will start to offer this degree by second semester of 2010. University of St. La Salle in Bacolod city is also offering a J.D. program.- Juris DoctorJuris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
-Master of Business AdministrationMaster of Business AdministrationThe Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
, (J.D.-M.B.A.), - The J.D.-M.B.A. program is a double degreeDouble degreeA double-degree program, sometimes called a combined degree, conjoint degree, dual degree, or simultaneous degree program, involves a student's working for two different university degrees in parallel, either at the same institution or at different institutions , completing them in less time than...
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 LawFar Eastern University Institute of LawFar Eastern University Institute of Law or FEU Law is the college of law of Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines.-Historical background:...
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.
- Juris Doctor
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 LawsMaster of LawsThe Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
(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 SchoolAteneo Law SchoolThe Ateneo de Manila Law School is the law school of the Ateneo de Manila University, a private Jesuit university in the Philippines. It was founded in 1936, in the Padre Faura, Manila campus of the Ateneo, where it remained even after the college, graduate school, and basic education units moved...
, which offers an International Master of Laws program; the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawUniversity of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawThe University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" , is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
, which first offered the LLM; University of ManilaUniversity of ManilaThe University of Manila is a university located in the heart of Sampaloc in Manila, Philippines, more commonly known as the University Belt area. It was founded in 1913 by five young college students, the three de Los santos siblings and two of their friends.-External links:*...
College of Law; Manuel L. Quezon UniversityManuel L. Quezon UniversityThe Manuel L. Quezon University is a private university in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines. It is a member of the Colleges and Universities Sports Association . It offers academic programs at the pre-school, elementary, high school, tertiary, and graduate levels. It is named for Philippine president...
College of Law; San Beda Graduate School of LawSan Beda College of LawSan Beda College of Law is the law degree-granting unit of San Beda College, a private, Roman Catholic college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines....
; and PLM Graduate School of LawPLM Graduate School of LawThe Graduate School of Law of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila is one of the eight Graduate schools of the University. It was launched on July 7, 2004 at the Manila Hotel, with Atty. Ernesto L. Pineda as its first Dean. Currently, former Supreme Court's Second Division Chairman Justice Angelina G...
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 LawFar Eastern University Institute of LawFar Eastern University Institute of Law or FEU Law is the college of law of Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines.-Historical background:...
, the Escuela de Derecho de Manila (now Manila Law College Foundation), and the University of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of Law or UP Law is the law school of the University of the Philippines. Since 1948, it has been located at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, the flagship campus of UP's seven constituent universities. Until the 1970s, night classes of...
but were eventually phased out due to lack of enrollment and funding.
- Doctor of Civil LawDoctor of Civil LawDoctor of Civil Law is a degree offered by some universities, such as the University of Oxford, instead of the more common Doctor of Laws degrees....
(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 LawUniversity of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawThe University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" , is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
. Their program structure is highly similar to the D.C.L. offered in the Complutense University of MadridComplutense University of MadridThe Complutense University of Madrid is a university in Madrid, and one of the oldest universities in the world. It is located on a sprawling campus that occupies the entirety of the Ciudad Universitaria district of Madrid, with annexes in the district of Somosaguas in the neighboring city of...
. The PLM Graduate School of LawPLM Graduate School of LawThe Graduate School of Law of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila is one of the eight Graduate schools of the University. It was launched on July 7, 2004 at the Manila Hotel, with Atty. Ernesto L. Pineda as its first Dean. Currently, former Supreme Court's Second Division Chairman Justice Angelina G...
has already opened its own D.C.L. program.
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.
Honorary law degrees
Some Philippine universities also confer the honoraryHonorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
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. GarciaCarlos P. GarciaCarlos Polistico García was a Filipino teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, public official, political economist and guerrilla leader...
(LL.D., honoris causa, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan) - King Juan Carlos I of Spain (LL.D., honoris causa, University of Santo TomasUniversity of Santo TomasThe Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
) - UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
Director General Koichiro MatsuuraKoichiro Matsuurais a Japanese diplomat. He is the former Director-General of UNESCO. He was first elected in 1999 to a six-year term and reelected on 12 October 2005 for four years, following a reform instituted by the 29th session of the General Conference...
(LL.D., honoris causa, University of Santo TomasUniversity of Santo TomasThe Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
) - former International Court of JusticeInternational Court of JusticeThe International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
Judge Cesar BengzonCesar BengzonCésar Bengzon was the Chief Justice of the Philippines from April 28, 1961 until May 29, 1966. In November 1966, a few months after his retirement, he became the first Filipino to be appointed to the International Court of Justice.-Judicial career:Bengzon earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from...
(LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila UniversityAteneo de Manila UniversityThe Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
and University of Santo TomasUniversity of Santo TomasThe Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
) - former United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
General Assembly President Carlos P. RomuloCarlos P. RómuloCarlos Peña Rómulo was a Filipino diplomat, politician, soldier, journalist and author. He was a reporter at 16, a newspaper editor by the age of 20, and a publisher at 32...
(Ll.D., honoris causa, University of Santo TomasUniversity of Santo TomasThe Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
and University of the EastUniversity of the EastThe University of the East is a private nonsectarian university located in University Belt Area, district of Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. The university was founded in 1946 as a coeducational institution...
) - former Philippine President Corazon AquinoCorazon AquinoMaria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and the first woman to hold that office in Philippine history. She is best remembered for leading the 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the Philippines...
(LL.D., honoris causa, University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the PhilippinesThe ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
and University of Santo TomasUniversity of Santo TomasThe Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
) - former Philippine President Ferdinand MarcosFerdinand MarcosFerdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
(LL.D., honoris causa, University of the EastUniversity of the EastThe University of the East is a private nonsectarian university located in University Belt Area, district of Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. The university was founded in 1946 as a coeducational institution...
) - former Philippine President Ramon MagsaysayRamon MagsaysayRamón del Fierro Magsaysay was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines from December 30, 1953 until his death in a plane crash in 1957. He was elected President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.-Early life:Ramon F...
(LL.D., honoris causa, University of the EastUniversity of the EastThe University of the East is a private nonsectarian university located in University Belt Area, district of Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. The university was founded in 1946 as a coeducational institution...
) - former Philippine Chief Justice Artemio PanganibanArtemio PanganibanArtemio V. Panganiban , "The Renaissance Jurist of the 21st Century" was the 21st Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Philippines.-Early life and education:...
(LL.D., honoris causa, University of IloiloUniversity of IloiloThe University of Iloilo is a private university in Iloilo City, Philippines. It is a member of the PHINMA Education Network.-History:...
) - Canadian Chief JusticeChief Justice of CanadaThe Chief Justice of Canada, like the eight puisne Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada, is appointed by the Governor-in-Council . All nine are chosen from either sitting judges or barristers who have at least ten years' standing at the bar of a province or territory...
Beverly McLachlin, P.C. (LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila UniversityAteneo de Manila UniversityThe Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
) - former Philippine First Lady Aurora Aragon Quezon (LL.D., honoris causa, University of Santo TomasUniversity of Santo TomasThe Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
) - former Philippine First Lady Imelda MarcosImelda MarcosImelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
(LL.D., honoris causa, University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the PhilippinesThe ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
). - Philippine Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (LL.D., honoris causa, Centro Escolar UniversityCentro Escolar UniversityCentro Escolar University is a private university in the Philippines. It was founded on June 3, 1907 by two women, Librada Avelino and Carmen de Luna, and was originally called Centro Escolar de Señoritas. It became a university in 1933...
and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan) - former Philippine Senator Raul ManglapusRaul ManglapusRaúl Sevilla Manglapus was a prominent post-World War II Filipino politician. He co-founded the reformist Progressive Party of the Philippines and the Christian Democratic Socialist Movement in 1968 .He was appointed as the Philippines' youngest-ever foreign minister in 1957,...
(LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila UniversityAteneo de Manila UniversityThe Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
) - former Philippine Commission on Elections Chairman Christian Monsod (LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila UniversityAteneo de Manila UniversityThe Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
) - former Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice and currently a Truth Commissioner Hilario Davide, Jr.Hilario Davide, Jr.Hilario Gelbolingo Davide, Jr, GCSS is a former Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations in New York City....
(LL.D., honoris causa, University of San CarlosUniversity of San CarlosThe University of San Carlos is a Roman Catholic university governed by the Society of the Divine Word since 1935 in Cebu City. It offers pre-elementary and basic education as well as undergraduate and graduate courses, and a broad spectrum of academic programs through its eight colleges.It...
) - founder of Chronicle Broadcasting Network Don Eugenio Lopez, Sr.Eugenio Lopez, Sr.Don Eugenio Lopez, Sr. was founder of the Manila Chronicle and Chronicle Broadcasting Network.-The Story:"I remember during World War II, when we were hiding from the Japanese in the mountains of Dingle in Iloilo, he contracted a husband and wife teacher team to keep us abreast of our studies...
(LL.D., honoris causa, Silliman UniversitySilliman UniversitySilliman University is a private research university located in Dumaguete, Philippines. Established in 1901 as Silliman Institute by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, it was the first American private school to be founded in the country. The University is named after Dr...
)
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.Ecclesiastical law degrees
A few Roman Catholic seminaries and graduate schools offer degree programs in Canon LawCanon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
, an ecclesiastical program that is not required in the Philippine Bar Examination
Philippine Bar Examination
The Philippine Bar Examination is the professional licensure examination for lawyers in the Philippines.It is the only professional licensure exam in the country that is not supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission...
s.The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Canon Law
University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies
The University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies are the ecclesiastical schools of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.Ecclesiastical Faculties consist of academic programs being offered since the University was...
runs the oldest academic programs of this kind. Its Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law is the title of an advanced graduate degree with canonical effects in the Roman Catholic Church offered by pontifical universities and ecclesiastical faculties of canon law...
(J.C.L.) and Doctor of Canon Law
Doctor of Canon Law
Doctor of Canon Law is the doctoral-level terminal degree in the studies of canon law of the Roman Catholic Church.It may also be abbreviated I.C.D. or dr.iur.can. , ICDr., D.C.L., D.Cnl., D.D.C., or D.Can.L. . Doctor of both laws are J.U.D...
(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. Degrees in canon law, strictly speaking, are not considered law degrees in the Philippines.
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. 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).Admission to the practice of law
The 1987 Constitution of the PhilippinesConstitution of the Philippines
The Constitution of the Philippines is the supreme law of the Philippines.The Constitution currently in effect was enacted in 1987, during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, and is popularly known as the "1987 Constitution"...
has given the Supreme Court the sole power to admit individuals to the practice of law in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. 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. 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.”
Philippine Bar Examinations
The Philippine Bar ExaminationPhilippine Bar Examination
The Philippine Bar Examination is the professional licensure examination for lawyers in the Philippines.It is the only professional licensure exam in the country that is not supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission...
s 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. It is also reputedly one of the hardest bar examinations in the world.
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.
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.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.
Legal Education Board
The Legal Education Board supervises all law schools and continuing legal education providers in the Philippines. 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:- Integrated Bar of the PhilippinesIntegrated Bar of the PhilippinesThe Integrated Bar of the Philippines is the national organization of lawyers in the Philippines. It is the mandatory bar association for Filipino lawyers.-History:...
(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.
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 PhilippinesIntegrated Bar of the Philippines
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines is the national organization of lawyers in the Philippines. It is the mandatory bar association for Filipino lawyers.-History:...
(IBP).
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.
The Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Office, established by the Supreme Court, is the official government agency tasked to implement compliance with the MCLE requirement.
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
Philippine law schools
There are one-hundred-five (105) law schools legitimately operating throughout the PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. These include independent law schools, resident colleges, and affiliated units of much larger private and public universities:
Ranking
The Legal Education Board's ranking for top ten law schools in the Philippines is based on the passing rate from 2001 to 2010:Excellence in Legal Education (top five)
- Ateneo de Manila Law School (89.03)
- San Beda College of Law (85.74)
- University of the Philippines College of Law (79.84)
- Ateneo de Davao College of Law (64.99)
- University of San Carlos College of Law (61.23)
Outstanding Law Schools (rest of the top ten)
- University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law (60.22)
- Arellano University Law Foundation (42.90)
- Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan College of Law (38.90)
- Far Eastern University Institute of Law (33.14)
- University of San Agustin College of Law (31.63)
| Name | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Adamson University Adamson University Adamson University is a private university Catholic university in Manila, Philippines, founded on June 30, 1932 by Greek immigrant George Lucas Adamson as the Adamson School of Industrial Chemistry... College of Law |
900 San Marcelino St., Manila | |
| Aklan Catholic College Aklan Catholic College Aktan Catholic College is a private Catholic college in Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines.It offers courses in education, English, politics, commerce, business administration, computer science, criminology and hospitality management amongst others.-External links:... College of Law |
Arch.Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan | |
| Andres Bonifacio College | College Park, Dipolog City | |
| Aquinas University Aquinas University Aquinas University of Legazpi is a school in Legazpi City, Philippines run and owned by the Dominican fathers. It was founded by Don Buenaventura de Erquiaga in 1948 as Legazpi Junior Colleges; the name subsequently changed to Legazpi College, and it became a university in 1968.-Foundation:Legazpi... College of Law |
2-S King's Building, JAA Penaranda St., Legazpi City | |
| Araullo University Araullo University Araullo University-PHINMA is in the heart of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.Araullo University offers elementary, high school, college, and graduate programs... College of Law |
Bitas, Cabanatuan City | |
| Arellano University Arellano University Arellano University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Manila, Philippines, established in 1938 by Florentino Cayco, Sr. as the Arellano Law College which was later known as Arellano Colleges... Law Foundation |
Taft. Ave. cor. Menlo St., Pasay City | |
| Ateneo de Davao College of Law | Jacinto St., Davao City | |
| Ateneo de Manila Law School Ateneo Law School The Ateneo de Manila Law School is the law school of the Ateneo de Manila University, a private Jesuit university in the Philippines. It was founded in 1936, in the Padre Faura, Manila campus of the Ateneo, where it remained even after the college, graduate school, and basic education units moved... |
20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City | |
| Ateneo de Zamboanga University Ateneo de Zamboanga University The Ateneo de Zamboanga University is a Catholic and Jesuit university in Western Mindanao. It is also known by the acronym AdZU. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1912, it is the second oldest Jesuit school in the Philippines. It initially catered to primary and secondary education for boys. It... College of Law |
La Purisima Street, Zamboanga City Zamboanga City The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines.... Proposed 2011 |
|
| Basilan State University College of Law | Isabela City, Basilan | |
| Bicol Colleges | Daraga, Albay | |
| Bukidnon State University | Malabalay, Bukidnon | |
| Bulacan State University Bulacan State University Bulacan State University is a state-funded institution of higher learning established in 1904, by the virtue of ACT 74 of the Philippine Commission in 1901, as an intermediate school established by the American regime, and converted into a chartered state university in 1993 by virtue of Republic... College of Law |
MacArthur Highway, City of Malolos, Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro... |
|
| Cagayan Colleges-Tuguegarao | Cagayan | |
| Cagayan State University | Tuguegarao, Cagayan | |
| Camarines Norte School of Law | Itomang, Talisay, Camarines Norte | |
| Central Philippine University Central Philippine University Central Philippine University is a non-stock, non-profit Christian institution of higher learning in Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines. It was founded in 1905 by American Baptist missionaries as an elementary school for poor boys which eventually opened up a high school in 1920. It converted into... College of Law |
Jaro, Iloilo City | |
| Centro Escolar University | Gil Puyat St., Makati City | |
| Christ the King College | Calbayog City | |
| Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion | IBP Office, Hall of Justice, Roxas City | |
| Cor Jesu College | Digos, Davao del Sur | |
| Cordillera College | Bugayan, La Trinidad, Benguet | |
| De La Salle University College of Law De La Salle University College of Law The College of Law is one of the seven colleges of De La Salle University. The college started accepting applicants in Academic Year 2009-2010 and will start its classes on Academic Year 2010-2011 with the Juris Doctor program.... |
2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila | |
| Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University College of Law | San Fernando, La Union | |
| Dr. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Education Foundation, Inc. | Tacloban City, Leyte | |
| East Central Colleges | San Fernando City, Pampanga | |
| Far Eastern University Institute of Law Far Eastern University Institute of Law Far Eastern University Institute of Law or FEU Law is the college of law of Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines.-Historical background:... |
Nicanor Reyes Sr. St., 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 | San Francisco St. cor. J.C. Aquino Ave., Butuan City | |
| Fernandez College of Arts and Technology Fernandez College of Arts and Technology Fernandez College of Arts and Technology is located in the Baliuag and San Rafael municipalities of Bulacan.Fernandez College started as a technical skills school in Cruz na Daan, San Rafael, Bulacan in June 1993 with about 250 students. With a dream to help many more financially challenged but... |
Gil Carlos St., Baliuag, Bulacan | |
| Foundation University | Dr. Miciano St., Dumaguete City | |
| Harvardian Colleges | San Fernando, Pampanga | |
| Holy Name University Holy Name University Holy Name University or HNU is a Catholic institution of higher learning located in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. It is a private, non-profit, co-educational university run by the Society of the Divine Word or SVD... College of Law |
Tagbilaran City, Bohol | |
| Jose Rizal University José Rizal University José Rizal University is a non-sectarian, non-stock private educational institution. It is located at Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It was founded in 1919 by Vicente Fabella, who was the first Philippine Certified Accountant.José Rizal University joined the National Collegiate... 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 | |
| Luna Goco Colleges | Calapan, Oriental Mindoro | |
| Luzon Colleges | Dagupan City, Pangasinan | |
| Lyceum of the Philippines University Lyceum of the Philippines University The Lyceum of the Philippines University is an institute of higher education located in Intramuros in the City of Manila. It was founded in 1952 by Dr. José P. Laurel, who became the third and one of the most acclaimed presidents of the Philippines... College of Law |
L.P. Leviste St., Makati City | |
| Lyceum-Northwestern University College of Law | Dagupan City, Pangasinan | |
| Manila Law College Foundation (formerly Escuela de Derecho de Manila) | Sales St., Sta. Cruz, Manila | |
| Manuel L. Quezon University Manuel L. Quezon University The Manuel L. Quezon University is a private university in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines. It is a member of the Colleges and Universities Sports Association . It offers academic programs at the pre-school, elementary, high school, tertiary, and graduate levels. It is named for Philippine president... College of Law |
R. Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila | |
| Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation College of Law | Foundation St., Lucena City | |
| Masbate Colleges | Masbate, Masbate | |
| Medina Colleges | Ozamiz City | |
| Mindanao State University Mindanao State University Mindanao State University is a public coeducational institution of higher education located in the Islamic City of Marawi, Philippines... College of Law |
Marawi City | |
| Misamis University College of Law | Bonifacio St., Ozamiz City | |
| New Era University New Era University New Era University is a private, non-sectarian educational institution established by Iglesia Ni Cristo. It is located along Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City.-History:... College of Law |
St. Joseph St., Milton Hills Subd., Brgy. New Era, Quezon City | |
| Negros Oriental State University | Dumaguete City | |
| Northeastern College | Santiago City, Isabela | |
| Northwester University College of Law | Laoag City | |
| Notre Dame University College of Law | Notre Dame Ave., Cotabato City | |
| Pagadian College of Criminology & Sciences | Pagadian City | |
| Palawan State University College of Law | Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa, Palawan | |
| Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Law PLM College of Law The College of Law of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in Manila, Philippines is one of the two Professional schools of the University. Its current dean is Ernesto P. Maceda Jr., former Vice Mayor and City Councilor of Manila... |
Intramuros, Manila | |
| Philippine Advent College | Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte | |
| Philippine Law School | F.B. Harrison St., Pasay City | |
| Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Law Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Law The College of Law at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines is a law school in Santa Mesa district, Manila, Philippines. It is located at the Ninoy Aquino Learning Resources Center in the main campus of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, in which it shares the building with the... |
Mabini Campus, Santa Mesa, Manila | |
| Samar College | Catbalogan City, Samar | |
| San Beda College of Law San Beda College of Law San Beda College of Law is the law degree-granting unit of San Beda College, a private, Roman Catholic college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines.... |
Mendiola St., San Miguel, Manila | |
| San Beda College of Law-Alabang | Don Manolo Boulevard, Alabang Hills Village, Muntinlupa City | |
| San Pablo Colleges | San Pablo City | |
| San Sebastian College - Recoletos San Sebastian College - Recoletos San Sebastian College – Recoletos de Manila or commonly known by their nickname Bastê, is a Catholic institution of higher learning in the Philippines... College of Law |
Claro M. Recto Ave., Manila | |
| Saint Louis College | San Fernando City, La Union | |
| Saint Louis University, Baguio City Saint Louis University, Baguio City Saint Louis University is a private educational institution in Baguio City, approximately two hundred fifty kilometers north of Manila. The school was established in 1911 by the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae missionaries, to further Christianize the northern Philippines... School of Law |
Bonifacio St., Baguio City | |
| St. Mary's University College of Law | Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya | |
| Silliman University College of Law Silliman University College of Law The Silliman University College of Law is one of the constituent colleges of Silliman University, a private university in Dumaguete City, Philippines. The college was founded in 1935 with Emilio Javier and Felix Gaudiel as pioneers... |
Hibbard Ave., Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental | |
| Southwestern University College of Law | Urgillo St., Sambag District, Cebu City | |
| Tabaco Colleges | Tabaco, Albay | |
| University of Batangas College of Law | Batangas City | |
| University of Bohol College of Law | Tagbilaran City | |
| Sanciangko St., Cebu City | University of the Cordilleras University of the Cordilleras The University of the Cordilleras, formerly known as Baguio Colleges Foundation , is a private university in Baguio City, Philippines... (formerly the Baguio Colleges Foundation) College of Law |
Harrison Rd., Baguio City |
| University of the East College of Law University of the East College of Law The University of the East College of Law or UE Law is the law school of the University of the East, a private, non-sectarian university in Manila, Philippines.-History:The UE College of Law was established in July 1950.... |
Claro M. Recto Ave., Manila | |
| University of Eastern Philippines College of Law | Catarman, Northern Samar | |
| University of Iloilo College of Law | Iloilo City | |
| University of Manila University of Manila The University of Manila is a university located in the heart of Sampaloc in Manila, Philippines, more commonly known as the University Belt area. It was founded in 1913 by five young college students, the three de Los santos siblings and two of their friends.-External links:*... College of Law |
Mv. delos Santos, Manila | |
| University of Mindanao University of Mindanao The ' is the largest private, non-sectarian university in Mindanao located in Davao City on the Southern Philippine island. Established in 1946, the University of Mindanao has ten branches spread over thirteen campuses in Southern Mindanao. It is currently an Autonomous Status per CEB Resolution... College of Law |
Bolton St., Davao City | |
| University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos School of Law | Libertad, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| University of Nueva Caceres College of Law | Naga City, Camarines Sur | |
| University of Perpetual Help-Rizal College of Law | Las Piñas City | |
| University of Perpetual Help System College of Law | Biñan, Laguna | |
| University of San Agustin University of San Agustin The University of San Agustin is a private Catholic university in Iloilo City, Philippines, the first in Western Visayas.-History:Augustinian friars from Spain belonging to the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines founded the University of San Agustin on July 15, 1904. They... College of Law |
Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City | |
| University of San Carlos University of San Carlos The University of San Carlos is a Roman Catholic university governed by the Society of the Divine Word since 1935 in Cebu City. It offers pre-elementary and basic education as well as undergraduate and graduate courses, and a broad spectrum of academic programs through its eight colleges.It... College of Law |
P. Del Rosario St., Cebu City | |
| University of Cebu - Banilad College of Law | Banilad, Cebu City | |
| University of San Jose-Recoletos College of Law | Cebu City | |
| University of St. La Salle University of St. La Salle The University of St. La Salle , located in La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City, Philippines, is a Catholic private university run by the De La Salle Brothers. Established in 1952 as La Salle College-Bacolod, it is the second oldest campus originally founded by the congregation in the country... College of Law |
La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City | |
| University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" , is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.... |
Main Building, U.S.T. Campus, España Blvd., Sampaloc, Manila | |
| University of Southern Philippines Foundation College of Law | Cebu City | |
| University of the Philippines College of Law University of the Philippines College of Law University of the Philippines College of Law or UP Law is the law school of the University of the Philippines. Since 1948, it has been located at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, the flagship campus of UP's seven constituent universities. Until the 1970s, night classes of... |
Malcolm Hall, U.P. Diliman Campus, Quezon City | |
| University of Visayas College of Law | 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 | Corales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City | |
| Western Mindanao State University Western Mindanao State University Western Mindanao State University is the premier and only state university in Zamboanga City. It is said to be one of if not the oldest university in Mindanao... |
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City Zamboanga City The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines.... |
|
Oldest law schools
The fifteen oldest law schools are as follows:- University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawUniversity of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawThe University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" , is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
, established in 1734, is the oldest law school in the Philippines. In 1734, the University of Santo TomasUniversity of Santo TomasThe Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
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 JusticesChief Justice of the PhilippinesThe Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines presides over the Supreme Court of the Philippines and is the highest judicial officer of the government of the Philippines...
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, BulacanBulacanBulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro...
and offered progams in law and notary public. The school later moved to TarlacTarlacTarlac is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Luzon Island. Its capital is Tarlac City. Tarlac borders Pampanga to the south, Nueva Ecija to the east, Pangasinan to the north, and Zambales to the west...
.
- 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 LawUniversity of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of Law or UP Law is the law school of the University of the Philippines. Since 1948, it has been located at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, the flagship campus of UP's seven constituent universities. Until the 1970s, night classes of...
, 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 PhilippinesUniversity of the PhilippinesThe ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
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. MalcolmGeorge A. MalcolmGeorge A. Malcolm was an American lawyer who emerged as an influential figure in the development of the practice of law in the Philippines in the 20th century. At age 35, he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, where he would serve for 19 years...
, 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 MacapagalDiosdado MacapagalDiosdado Pangan Macapagal was the ninth President of the Philippines, serving from 1961 to 1965, and the sixth Vice President, serving from 1957 to 1961. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives, and headed the Constitutional Convention of 1970...
and Carlos P. GarciaCarlos P. GarciaCarlos Polistico García was a Filipino teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, public official, political economist and guerrilla leader...
attended the school.
- University of ManilaUniversity of ManilaThe University of Manila is a university located in the heart of Sampaloc in Manila, Philippines, more commonly known as the University Belt area. It was founded in 1913 by five young college students, the three de Los santos siblings and two of their friends.-External links:*...
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 CommissionPhilippine Constitutional Commission of 1986The Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986 was the commission of the tasked to draft the Constitution of the Philippines in 1986.-Legislation:-Members: Resigned-See also:*Congress of the Philippines*Senate of the Philippines...
, earned her Master of LawsMaster of LawsThe Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
from this institution.
- Far Eastern University Institute of LawFar Eastern University Institute of LawFar Eastern University Institute of Law or FEU Law is the college of law of Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines.-Historical background:...
, established in 1934, is the alma mater of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio PanganibanArtemio PanganibanArtemio V. Panganiban , "The Renaissance Jurist of the 21st Century" was the 21st Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Philippines.-Early life and education:...
, former Philippine President Corazon AquinoCorazon AquinoMaria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and the first woman to hold that office in Philippine history. She is best remembered for leading the 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the Philippines...
, former Philippine Court of AppealsPhilippine Court of AppealsThe Court of Appeals of the Philippines is the Philippines' second highest judicial court, just after the Supreme Court. The court consists of 68 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
Presiding Justices Oscar Herrera and Salome A. Montoya, and Sandiganbayan senior associate justice Edilberto Sandoval.
- Silliman University College of LawSilliman University College of LawThe Silliman University College of Law is one of the constituent colleges of Silliman University, a private university in Dumaguete City, Philippines. The college was founded in 1935 with Emilio Javier and Felix Gaudiel as pioneers...
was established in 1935 with a class of 22 freshmen. Carlos P. GarciaCarlos P. GarciaCarlos Polistico García was a Filipino teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, public official, political economist and guerrilla leader...
, 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.
- Southern College of Law was established in 1935. It is no longer operating.
- Ateneo de Manila Law SchoolAteneo Law SchoolThe Ateneo de Manila Law School is the law school of the Ateneo de Manila University, a private Jesuit university in the Philippines. It was founded in 1936, in the Padre Faura, Manila campus of the Ateneo, where it remained even after the college, graduate school, and basic education units moved...
, established in 1936, is the alma mater of former Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee, 1986 Constitutional CommissionerPhilippine Constitutional Commission of 1986The Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986 was the commission of the tasked to draft the Constitution of the Philippines in 1986.-Legislation:-Members: Resigned-See also:*Congress of the Philippines*Senate of the Philippines...
Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J.Joaquin G. BernasFr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., J.S.D. is a Jesuit and is Dean Emeritus of Ateneo Law School in Makati City, Philippines. He was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission which drafted the present Philippine Constitution....
., and former Philippine Vice PresidentVice President of the Philippines-Description:The Vice-President is the first in the Philippine line of succession, assuming the Presidency upon the death, resignation, or removal by impeachment and subsequent conviction of the incumbent. The position was abolished by Martial Law in 1972, and was not included in the original text...
Teofisto Guingona.
- University of San CarlosUniversity of San CarlosThe University of San Carlos is a Roman Catholic university governed by the Society of the Divine Word since 1935 in Cebu City. It offers pre-elementary and basic education as well as undergraduate and graduate courses, and a broad spectrum of academic programs through its eight colleges.It...
College of Law in Cebu CityCebu CityThe City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
, was established in 1937. It is the only law school in the VisayasVisayasThe Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...
and MindanaoMindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
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.
- The Arellano University School of LawArellano University School of LawThe Arellano University School of Law is the law school of Arellano University. The school was housed in the Arellano University – Apolinario Mabini Campus and is located in Pasay. Since its establishment from 1938, the school graduated many leading figures in the political history of the...
, formerly as the Arellano Law College and officially as Arellano Law Foundation, was established in 1938. It formed the early beginnings of Arellano UniversityArellano UniversityArellano University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Manila, Philippines, established in 1938 by Florentino Cayco, Sr. as the Arellano Law College which was later known as Arellano Colleges...
. Popular broadcaster and former Leyte Representative Ted FailonTed FailonMario Teodoro Failon Etong , better known by his names Ted Failon or Teodoro Failon is a Filipino broadcast journalist, radio commentator, and a former congressman representing the first district of Leyte, Philippines, from 2001 to 2004.-Early life:Ted Failon was born and raised in Tacloban City,...
, former Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Manuel Gaviola, former Senator Francisco Sumulong, and former Congressman Jose Zafra attended the school.
- University of San AgustinUniversity of San AgustinThe University of San Agustin is a private Catholic university in Iloilo City, Philippines, the first in Western Visayas.-History:Augustinian friars from Spain belonging to the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines founded the University of San Agustin on July 15, 1904. They...
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 LawSan Beda College of LawSan Beda College of Law is the law degree-granting unit of San Beda College, a private, Roman Catholic college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines....
, was founded in 1948. Famous alumni include former Senator and Education Secretary Raul RocoRaul RocoRaul Sagarbarria Roco was a political figure in the Philippines. He was the standard-bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko, which he founded in 1997 as a vehicle for his presidential bids in 1998 and 2004. He was a former senator and the Secretary of the Department of Education under the presidency of...
, 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 ExaminationPhilippine Bar ExaminationThe Philippine Bar Examination is the professional licensure examination for lawyers in the Philippines.It is the only professional licensure exam in the country that is not supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission...
s.
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.Law schools with the highest average bar passing rates from 1996 to 2005 include:
Schools with more than 30 examinees:
- Ateneo de Manila Law SchoolAteneo Law SchoolThe Ateneo de Manila Law School is the law school of the Ateneo de Manila University, a private Jesuit university in the Philippines. It was founded in 1936, in the Padre Faura, Manila campus of the Ateneo, where it remained even after the college, graduate school, and basic education units moved...
- 89.19% - San Beda College of LawSan Beda College of LawSan Beda College of Law is the law degree-granting unit of San Beda College, a private, Roman Catholic college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines....
- 85.27% - University of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of Law or UP Law is the law school of the University of the Philippines. Since 1948, it has been located at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, the flagship campus of UP's seven constituent universities. Until the 1970s, night classes of...
- 85.19% - University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawUniversity of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawThe University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" , is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
- 56.70% - Far Eastern University Institute of LawFar Eastern University Institute of LawFar Eastern University Institute of Law or FEU Law is the college of law of Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines.-Historical background:...
- 26.25%
Schools with 30 or less examinees:
- Ateneo de Davao UniversityAteneo de Davao UniversityThe Ateneo de Davao University is a private and research Catholic university administered by the Society of Jesus in Southern Mindanao in the Philippines. It was established in 1948...
College of Law - 65.57% - University of San CarlosUniversity of San CarlosThe University of San Carlos is a Roman Catholic university governed by the Society of the Divine Word since 1935 in Cebu City. It offers pre-elementary and basic education as well as undergraduate and graduate courses, and a broad spectrum of academic programs through its eight colleges.It...
- 54.45% - Arellano UniversityArellano UniversityArellano University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Manila, Philippines, established in 1938 by Florentino Cayco, Sr. as the Arellano Law College which was later known as Arellano Colleges...
- 46.18% - Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Law - 41.26%
- Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan - 37.45%
- Lyceum of the Philippines UniversityLyceum of the Philippines UniversityThe Lyceum of the Philippines University is an institute of higher education located in Intramuros in the City of Manila. It was founded in 1952 by Dr. José P. Laurel, who became the third and one of the most acclaimed presidents of the Philippines...
- 32.40% - St. Louis UniversitySaint Louis University, Baguio CitySaint Louis University is a private educational institution in Baguio City, approximately two hundred fifty kilometers north of Manila. The school was established in 1911 by the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae missionaries, to further Christianize the northern Philippines...
- 31.38%
In the 2006 bar examinations, Basilan State University's lone bar candidate passed, giving the school a 100% passing rate.
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.Schools which have produced bar topnotchers (1st placers) include:
- University of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of Law or UP Law is the law school of the University of the Philippines. Since 1948, it has been located at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, the flagship campus of UP's seven constituent universities. Until the 1970s, night classes of...
- forty-nine (49) bar topnotchers - Ateneo de Manila Law SchoolAteneo Law SchoolThe Ateneo de Manila Law School is the law school of the Ateneo de Manila University, a private Jesuit university in the Philippines. It was founded in 1936, in the Padre Faura, Manila campus of the Ateneo, where it remained even after the college, graduate school, and basic education units moved...
- nineteen (19) bar topnotchers - San Beda College of LawSan Beda College of LawSan Beda College of Law is the law degree-granting unit of San Beda College, a private, Roman Catholic college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines....
- seven (7) bar topnotchers - Philippine Law School - seven (7) bar topnotchers
- University of ManilaUniversity of ManilaThe University of Manila is a university located in the heart of Sampaloc in Manila, Philippines, more commonly known as the University Belt area. It was founded in 1913 by five young college students, the three de Los santos siblings and two of their friends.-External links:*...
- six (6) bar topnotchers - Far Eastern University Institute of LawFar Eastern University Institute of LawFar Eastern University Institute of Law or FEU Law is the college of law of Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines.-Historical background:...
- three (3) bar topnotchers - University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawUniversity of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawThe University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" , is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
- three (3) bar topnotchers - University of the CordillerasUniversity of the CordillerasThe University of the Cordilleras, formerly known as Baguio Colleges Foundation , is a private university in Baguio City, Philippines...
(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 UniversityManuel L. Quezon UniversityThe Manuel L. Quezon University is a private university in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines. It is a member of the Colleges and Universities Sports Association . It offers academic programs at the pre-school, elementary, high school, tertiary, and graduate levels. It is named for Philippine president...
College of Law - one (1) bar topnotcher - Divine Word College - one (1) bar topnotcher
- University of the East College of LawUniversity of the East College of LawThe University of the East College of Law or UE Law is the law school of the University of the East, a private, non-sectarian university in Manila, Philippines.-History:The UE College of Law was established in July 1950....
- 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 DioknoJosé DioknoJose "Pepe" Wright Diokno was a Filipino nationalist. He served as Senator of the Philippines, Secretary of Justice, founding chair of the Commission on Human Rights, and founder of the Free Legal Assistance Group....
- 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.
Law schools with prestigious alumni
The quality of law schools is often measured by the prestige, influence, or wealth of famous law alumni.Some of the law schools and their famous alumni include:
- Ateneo de Manila Law SchoolAteneo Law SchoolThe Ateneo de Manila Law School is the law school of the Ateneo de Manila University, a private Jesuit university in the Philippines. It was founded in 1936, in the Padre Faura, Manila campus of the Ateneo, where it remained even after the college, graduate school, and basic education units moved...
alumni:- Teofisto Guingona - former Vice President of the Philippines
- Claudio Teehankee - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
- Adolfo AzcunaAdolfo AzcunaAdolfo S. Azcuna is a Filipino jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 2002 to 2009. He was appointed to the Court by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 24, 2002...
- Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Renato CoronaRenato CoronaRenato C. Corona is the incumbent Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was appointed to the Court on April 9, 2002 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo...
- Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Jose Miguel ArroyoJose Miguel ArroyoJose Miguel "Mike" Tuason Arroyo is a former First Gentleman of the Philippines. He is the husband of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the former President of the Philippines and the current Congresswoman of Pampanga 2nd District....
- First Gentleman of the Philippines - Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J.Joaquin G. BernasFr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., J.S.D. is a Jesuit and is Dean Emeritus of Ateneo Law School in Makati City, Philippines. He was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission which drafted the present Philippine Constitution....
- Member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission - Alan Peter CayetanoAlan Peter CayetanoAlan Peter Schramm Cayetano is a senator from the Philippines.He was the congressional representative from the district of Taguig-Pateros for 9 years. He had a seven-point program for his Taguig-Pateros constituency in Metro Manila. He ran for senator on the May 14, 2007 Philippine elections under...
- Senator of the Philippines - Ignacio BunyeIgnacio BunyeIgnacio Rivera Bunye is a Filipino politician who is currently serving as the Monetary Board Member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas since July 3, 2008...
- 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 ApostolSergio ApostolSergio Antonio Figueroa Apostol was born on January 17, 1935 in Catbalogan City, Samar.Apostol, a Roman Catholic, graduated from the Ateneo Law School and was a member of the Ateneo Law Journal. He passed the Philippine Bar exams in 1958, finishing 7th...
- 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 LawFar Eastern University Institute of LawFar Eastern University Institute of Law or FEU Law is the college of law of Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines.-Historical background:...
alumni:- Corazon AquinoCorazon AquinoMaria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and the first woman to hold that office in Philippine history. She is best remembered for leading the 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the Philippines...
- former President of the Philippines - Artemio PanganibanArtemio PanganibanArtemio V. Panganiban , "The Renaissance Jurist of the 21st Century" was the 21st Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Philippines.-Early life and education:...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Court of Appeals Presiding Justice and Remedial Law expert Oscar Herrera
- Jose NolledoJose NolledoJose N. Nolledo is a renowned lawyer, constitutional law expert, and author in the Philippines. He was a member of the Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986 and a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention....
- Member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, Delegate of the 1971 Constitutional Convention - Salome Montoya - former Presiding Justice of the Philippine Court of AppealsPhilippine Court of AppealsThe Court of Appeals of the Philippines is the Philippines' second highest judicial court, just after the Supreme Court. The court consists of 68 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
- 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 CityMandaluyong CityThe City of Mandaluyong is one of the cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the west by the country's capital, Manila, to the north by San Juan City, to the east by Quezon City and Pasig City, and by Makati City to the south...
and Majority Floor Leader of the Philippine House of Representatives
- Corazon Aquino
- San Beda College of LawSan Beda College of LawSan Beda College of Law is the law degree-granting unit of San Beda College, a private, Roman Catholic college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines....
alumni:- Florenz D. Regalado - former Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, obtained the highest rating in entire history of the Philippine Bar Examinations
- Raul RocoRaul RocoRaul Sagarbarria Roco was a political figure in the Philippines. He was the standard-bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko, which he founded in 1997 as a vehicle for his presidential bids in 1998 and 2004. He was a former senator and the Secretary of the Department of Education under the presidency of...
- 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 NachuraAntonio Eduardo NachuraAntonio Eduardo B. Nachura was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines until his mandatory retirement in June 13, 2011. He had been Solicitor-General of the Philippines at the time of his appointment to the Court was announced on January 31, 2007 by President Gloria...
- 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 MartinezAntonio MartínezAntonio "Chivas" Martínez is a footballer. He last played midfielder for C.D. Chivas USA of Major League Soccer....
- Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Romeo Callejo, Sr. - Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
- Gregory S. OngGregory S. OngGregory Santos Ong is a Filipino jurist and an incumbent Justice of the Sandiganbayan. He was initially appointed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on May 16, 2007, but his appointment was subsequently withdrawn after questions...
- Associate Justice of the anti-graft court SandiganbayanSandiganbayanThe Sandiganbayan is a special court in the Philippines which was established under Presidential Decree No. 1606. Its rank is equivalent to the Court of Appeals. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice... - Rodolfo Ponferrada, Sr. - Associate Justice of the anti-graft court SandiganbayanSandiganbayanThe Sandiganbayan is a special court in the Philippines which was established under Presidential Decree No. 1606. Its rank is equivalent to the Court of Appeals. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
- Eugenio Labitoria - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of AppealsPhilippine Court of AppealsThe Court of Appeals of the Philippines is the Philippines' second highest judicial court, just after the Supreme Court. The court consists of 68 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
- Eloy Bello, Jr. - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of AppealsPhilippine Court of AppealsThe Court of Appeals of the Philippines is the Philippines' second highest judicial court, just after the Supreme Court. The court consists of 68 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
- Bienvenido Reyes - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of AppealsPhilippine Court of AppealsThe Court of Appeals of the Philippines is the Philippines' second highest judicial court, just after the Supreme Court. The court consists of 68 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
- Francisco Acosta - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of AppealsPhilippine Court of AppealsThe Court of Appeals of the Philippines is the Philippines' second highest judicial court, just after the Supreme Court. The court consists of 68 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
- Mario Lopez - Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of AppealsPhilippine Court of AppealsThe Court of Appeals of the Philippines is the Philippines' second highest judicial court, just after the Supreme Court. The court consists of 68 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
- Antonio Eugenio, Jr. - President, Philippine Judges Association
- Sixto Brillantes, Jr. - Election law expert
- Rodrigo DuterteRodrigo DuterteRodrigo Roa Duterte Rodrigo Roa Duterte Rodrigo Roa Duterte (b. March 28, 1945 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines is the current vice mayor of the city of Davao City, Philippines. He was first elected 1988 and reelected 1992 and 1995. In 1998, he ran for the House of Representatives and...
- Mayor, Davao CityDavao CityThe City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines....
and former Congressman, Davao CityDavao CityThe City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines.... - Leila De LimaLeila De LimaLeila Magistrado De Lima is the secretary of Philippine Department of Justice under the Administration of President Noynoy Aquino...
- Chairperson of the Commission on Human RightsCommission on Human Rights (Philippines)The Commission on Human Rights is an independent office created by the Constitution of the Philippines, with the primary function of investigating all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights in the Philippines....
- University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawUniversity of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawThe University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" , is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
alumni:- Manuel L. QuezonManuel L. QuezonManuel Luis Quezón y Molina served as president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944. He was the first Filipino to head a government of the Philippines...
- former President of the Philippines - Sergio OsmeñaSergio OsmeñaSergio Osmeña y Suico was a Filipino politician who served as the 4th President of the Philippines from 1944 to 1946. He was Vice President under Manuel L. Quezon, and rose to the presidency upon Quezon's death in 1944, being the oldest Philippine president to hold office at age 65...
- former President of the Philippines - Jose P. LaurelJose P. LaurelJosé Paciano Laurel y García was the president of the Republic of the Philippines, a Japanese-sponsored administration during World War II, from 1943 to 1945...
- former President of the Philippines - Diosdado MacapagalDiosdado MacapagalDiosdado Pangan Macapagal was the ninth President of the Philippines, serving from 1961 to 1965, and the sixth Vice President, serving from 1957 to 1961. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives, and headed the Constitutional Convention of 1970...
- former President of the Philippines - Emmanuel PelaezEmmanuel PelaezEmmanuel Neri Pelaez was a politician and Vice-President of the Philippines.-Early life and career:Pelaez was born in Medina, Misamis Oriental to Gregorio Pelaez, Sr. and Felipa Neri. He was fourth among eight children: Rosario, Concepcion, Gregorio Jr., Emmanuel, Jose Ma., Lourdes , Antonio, and...
- former Vice President of the Philippines - Fernando LopezFernando LopezFernando López,Sr. was a Filipino statesman. A member of the influential López Family of Iloilo, Fernando López served as Vice President for three terms, under President Elpidio Quirino for the Liberals and Ferdinand Marcos for the Nacionalistas.-Early life and career:López was born on April 13,...
- former Vice President of the Philippines - Arturo TolentinoArturo TolentinoArturo Modesto Tolentino was a prominent political figure in the Philippines who briefly held the position of vice president in 1986. He is more well known as the father of the Philippine “archipelagic doctrine” and expert on the Law of the Sea.-Early career:Arturo M. Tolentino was born in Manila...
- former Vice President of the Philippines - Cayetano ArellanoCayetano ArellanoCayetano L. Arellano was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines under the American Civil Government. He was Chief Justice from 1901 until his retirement on April 12, 1920, making him the longest serving Chief Justice.Born in Orion, Bataan, He started as a working student...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Victorino MapaVictorino MapaVictorino Mapa was the second Chief Justice of the Philippines.-Career:He graduated his Bachelor of Laws and Jurisprudence from the University of Santo Tomas at the age of 25....
- former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Manuel AraulloManuel AraulloManuel Araullo was the third Chief Justice of the Philippines. He served from November 1, 1921 until his death on July 26, 1924.-Career:...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Ramon AvanceñaRamon AvanceñaRamón Avanceña was a Chief Justice of the Philippines. He served from 1925-1941, when he resigned during the nearing of the Japanese Occupation...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Roberto ConcepcionRoberto ConcepcionRoberto Concepción was the Chief Justice of the Philippines from June 17, 1966, until April 18, 1973. Apparently, he took a leave 50 days earlier from his scheduled mandatory retirement...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Andres NarvasaAndres NarvasaAndres dela Rosa Narvasa was the Chief Justice of the Philippines from December 1, 1991 to November 30, 1998.He served as Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for Constitutional Reform, a special agency tasked to look into potentially positive modifications in the Philippine Constitution, from...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court and Chairman, Preparatory Commission for Constitutional Reform - Angelina Sandoval-GutierrezAngelina Sandoval-GutierrezAngelina Sandoval-Gutierrez is a Filipino jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 2000 to 2008. She was the last appointment to the Court made by President Joseph Estrada.-Profile:...
- Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Rosalinda Asuncion VicenteRosalinda Asuncion VicenteRosalinda Asuncion Vicente is an Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals.The Court of Appeals is the second highest judicial court in the Philippines, next only to the Philippine Supreme Court.-Early life and education:...
- Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals - Monina Arevalo ZenarosaMonina Arevalo ZenarosaMonina Arevalo Zenarosa is a retired Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals.The Court of Appeals is the second highest judicial court in the Philippines, next only to the Philippine Supreme Court....
- Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals - Diosdado PeraltaDiosdado PeraltaDiosdado M. Peralta is a Filipino jurist. He was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on January 14, 2009. He had been Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan at the time of his appointment to the Supreme Court.Peralta graduated...
- 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 BenipayoAlfredo BenipayoAlfredo Logronio Benipayo is the former Dean of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, the oldest law school in the Philippines. He is a former magistrate and a respected law professor and bar reviewer in the country....
- former Commission on Elections Chairman, Solicitor General, and Supreme Court Administrator
- Manuel L. Quezon
- University of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of LawUniversity of the Philippines College of Law or UP Law is the law school of the University of the Philippines. Since 1948, it has been located at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, the flagship campus of UP's seven constituent universities. Until the 1970s, night classes of...
alumni (Associate Justices not included; For a more comprehensive list, see List of University of the Philippines College of Law alumni):- Jose P. LaurelJose P. LaurelJosé Paciano Laurel y García was the president of the Republic of the Philippines, a Japanese-sponsored administration during World War II, from 1943 to 1945...
- former President of the Philippines - Manuel RoxasManuel RoxasManuel Acuña Roxas was the first president of the independent Third Republic of the Philippines and fifth president overall. He served as president from the granting of independence in 1946 until his abrupt death in 1948...
- former President of the Philippines - Elpidio QuirinoElpidio QuirinoElpidio Rivera Quirino was a Filipino politician, and the sixth President of the Philippines.A lawyer by profession, Quirino entered politics when he became a representative of Ilocos Sur from 1919 to 1925. He was then elected as senator from 1925–1931...
- former President of the Philippines - Ferdinand MarcosFerdinand MarcosFerdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
- former President of the Philippines - Pia Cayetano - Senator of the Philippines
- Jose YuloJose YuloJosé Yulo was the Chief Justice of the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation and was Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives from 1939 until the World War II started in 1941.-Career:...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippines - Ricardo ParasRicardo ParasRicardo Paras was the Chief Justice of the Philippines from April 2, 1951 until February 17, 1961.-Career:...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippines - Cesar BengzonCesar BengzonCésar Bengzon was the Chief Justice of the Philippines from April 28, 1961 until May 29, 1966. In November 1966, a few months after his retirement, he became the first Filipino to be appointed to the International Court of Justice.-Judicial career:Bengzon earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippines - Fred Ruiz CastroFred Ruiz CastroFred Ruiz Castro was the Chief Justice of the Philippines from January 5, 1976 until his death on April 19, 1979 while on an official trip to India.-Personal life:...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippines - Enrique FernandoEnrique FernandoEnrique M. Fernando was the 13th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. A noted constitutionalist and law professor, he served in the Supreme Court for 18 years, including 6 years as Chief Justice....
- former Chief Justice of the Philippines - Felix MakasiarFelix MakasiarFelix V. Makasiar was the 14th Chief Justice of the Philippines, serving in that capacity for four months in 1985. His 85-day stint as Chief Justice, abbreviated only because of the rule requiring mandatory retirement upon reaching the age of 70, was the second-shortest such tenure in Philippine...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippines - Querube MakalintalQuerube MakalintalQuerube C. Makalintal was the Chief Justice of the Philippines from Oct. 31, 1973 until December 22, 1975 and Speaker of the Interim Batasang Pambansa from June 12, 1978 to June 30, 1984.-Career:...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippines - Pedro YapPedro YapPedro Yap was the Chief Justice of the Philippines in 1988. He briefly served for two and a half months from April 19, 1988 to June 30, 1988....
- former Chief Justice of the Philippines - Ramon AquinoRamon AquinoRamon C. Aquino was the 15th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.He was appointed on November 20, 1985, the last Chief Justice appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos.-Personal life:...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippines - Marcelo FernanMarcelo FernanMarcelo "Celing" Briones Fernán was a Filipino lawyer and political figure. He is the only Filipino to have served as both Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and as Senate president...
- former Chief Justice of the Philippines - Hilario Davide Jr. - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
- Reynato PunoReynato PunoReynato Puno y Serrano was the 22nd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Appointed on December 8, 2006 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he was the 22nd person to serve as Chief Justice...
- current Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court - Cecilia Muñoz Palma - President of the Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986The Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986 was the commission of the tasked to draft the Constitution of the Philippines in 1986.-Legislation:-Members: Resigned-See also:*Congress of the Philippines*Senate of the Philippines...
and first woman Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
- Jose P. Laurel
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
See also
- Philippine Bar ExaminationPhilippine Bar ExaminationThe Philippine Bar Examination is the professional licensure examination for lawyers in the Philippines.It is the only professional licensure exam in the country that is not supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission...
s - Integrated Bar of the PhilippinesIntegrated Bar of the PhilippinesThe Integrated Bar of the Philippines is the national organization of lawyers in the Philippines. It is the mandatory bar association for Filipino lawyers.-History:...
- Supreme Court of the PhilippinesSupreme Court of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...