University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law

Infobox_University
name = UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
Faculty of Civil Law


established = 1611 University
1734 Faculty of Civil Law
type = Private, Dominican
dean = Assoc. Prof. Roberto A. Abad, LlB (Acting Dean)
head_label = Regent
head = Rev. Fr. Pompeyo F. de Mesa, OP, SThL
location = UST Main Building, UST Campus, España St., Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
website= [http://www.ust.edu.ph/] |

University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law (as distinguished from the Faculty of Canon Law) is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, a private Roman Catholic university in Manila, Philippines. It is the oldest law school in the Philippines. [Rufus Rodriguez. "Slaying The Bar Exams Dragon." Rex Bookstore, 2002.]

History

Known as "Facultad de Derecho Civil", the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law is the oldest lay college in the University as well in the Philippines. [Rufus Rodriguez. "Slaying The Bar Exams Dragon." Rex Bookstore, 2002.] It was established on September 2, 1734, the same year that the Faculty of Canon Law was founded, with a curriculum identical to that adopted during the time in leading universities in Europe.Official Prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. 2006 Issue. ] The number of subjects in the curriculum was later enriched and expanded. During the major part of the Spanish regime the course consisted of twelve semesters (six years), based upon a year of preparatory work.Official Prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. 2006 Issue. ]

On several occasions during the American regime, the University of Santo Tomas modified the curriculum of the Faculty of Civil Law in order to meet the changing conditions. But firm in the resolve of turning out worthy members of the Bar and practical Catholic lawyers, the University adhered to its basic policy of retaining in its curriculum important subjects introduced during the Spanish regime in order to fully accomplish the aims and purposes of a sound Catholic legal education.Official Prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. 2006 Issue. ]

Curriculum

The Faculty maintains a curriculum of mandatory law courses, focusing on the eight subjects covered in the Philippine Bar Examinations. Upon completing all law courses for the first three years in the program, the student is required to engage in an internship program of at least two-hundred hours before being admitted to the fourth and final year. [Official Law Curriculum, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, 2006.]

As a final graduation requirement, a student undergoes a "Revalida", an oral recitation covering the most important aspects of every subject in the Philippine Bar Examinations. He must pass the "Revalida", "Mid-term Examinations", "Final Examinations", daily class recitations, quizzes, and special projects to graduate and be qualified to take the Philippine Bar Exam. [Official Law Curriculum, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, 2006.]

The Faculty remains one of the top performing law schools in the national bar exams. [Statistical Data of Bar Passing Rates, Office of the Bar Confidant, Supreme Court of the Philippines, 1997-2006.]

Preparatory legal education

The Faculty requires applicants to hold at least a Bachelor's degree in any field, provided they meet certain academic requisites. Majority of graduates have completed preparatory law degrees in Legal Management, Political Science, Accountancy, Philosophy, Economics, Journalism, and Communication Arts.Office of the Faculty Secretary, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. Records from 2000 to 2006.]

To prepare future law students, the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts and Letters designed a four-year college degree program in Bachelor of Arts in Legal Management, popularly known as "ABLM" or "Legma". The curriculum and program delivery highly applies "Socratic method" of legal reasoning, the same teaching style applied in law schools.Minutes of the Sophomore Orientation Program, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts and Letters. July 1998. ] The program quickly became the most popular major in the Faculty, next to Communication Arts. Other popular pre-law programs include Political Science, Philosophy, and Accountancy (offered in the U.S.T. Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy).Office of the University Registrar, University of Santo Tomas. Records pertaining to enrollment from 1997-2004. ]

Advanced legal education

The Faculty, through the Law Department of the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School, administers the program content and delivery of advanced courses in legal education. These postgraduate programs are made available only to holders of Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor degrees from accredited law schools in the Philippines and other countries.Official Prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Graduate School. 2006 Issue. ]

At present, the following postgraduate programs are offered:

*Master of Laws (LL.M.) - postgraduate legal education for holders of basic law degrees {i.e., Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science in Law, Juris Doctor, etc.) who are members of the bar and active legal practitioners or academicians in their respective countries.Official Prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Graduate School. 2006 Issue. ]

*Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) - the first and so far only doctoral program in law offered in the Philippines.Official Prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Graduate School. 2006 Issue. ] Notable alumni include Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona and Sandiganbayan Justice Catalino R. Castañeda Jr. [List of members, University of Santo Tomas Law Alumni Association, 2006.]

Administration

The Faculty of Civil Law is administered by its current Dean, Alfredo Benipayo. Benipayo is a former Chairman of the Commission on Elections, a former Solicitor General of the Philippines, a former Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals and a former Court Administrator of the Philippine Supreme Court. He is also the Chairman of the Remedial Law Department of the Philippine Judicial Academy, the training school of justices, judges, and judiciary candidates in the country. [List of members, University of Santo Tomas Law Alumni Association, 2006.]

The Faculty Regent is the former UST Rector for Central Seminaru and former UST's Vice Rector for Finance, Rev. Fr. Roberto N. Pinto, O.P. [Official Directory, University of Santo Tomas Office of the Secretary-General, 2007.]

The Graduate School Law Department is headed by Alicia Decano, a former judge and expert in public international law. She authored "Legal Writing", a comprehensive reference material for the legal community. [List of members, University of Santo Tomas Law Alumni Association, 2006.]

Prominent alumni

The Faculty and Law Graduate School has produced the following alumni: ["The Law School Monitor", official newsletter of University of Santo Tomas Legal Management Society. 2001 Issue. ] [ [http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph List of bar topnotchers at the Supreme Court of the Philippines Website. Last accessed 5/21/2007] ] [List of members, University of Santo Tomas Law Alumni Association, 2006.]

*Manuel L. Quezon - former President of the Philippines
*Sergio Osmeña - former President of the Philippines
*Jose P. Laurel - former President of the Philippines
*Diosdado Macapagal - former President of the Philippines
*Arturo Tolentino - former Vice President, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Senate President
*Fernando Lopez - former Vice President of the Philippines
*Emmanuel Pelaez - former Vice President of the Philippines
*Benjamin T. Ligot - former 4 term Congressman and Gov. of Cagayan Valley Province
*Cayetano Arellano - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
*Victorino Mapa - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
*Manuel Araullo - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
*Ramon Avanceña - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
*Roberto Concepcion - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
*Andres Narvasa - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for Constitutional Reform, and lead counsel of President Joseph Estrada
*Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez - Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
*Renato Corona - Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
*Raul Gonzales - Philippine Secretary of Justice, former Iloilo Representative and Special Prosecutor ("Tanodbayan")
*Bernardo Pardo - former Commission on Elections Chairman and Supreme Court Associate Justice
*Arturo Buena - former Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court and Presiding Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals
*Alfredo Benipayo - current Dean of the Faculty of Civil Law; former Court Administrator of the Supreme Court, Commission on Elections Chairman, Solicitor General, and Court of Appeals Justice
*Artemio Tuquero - former Secretary of Justice, Court of Appeals Associate Justice, and Dean of the University of the East College of Law
*Zenaida Elepaño - former Court Administrator of the Supreme Court
*Harriet Demetriou - former Sandiganbayan Justice, Commission on Elections Chairwoman, Presidential Chief Legal Counsel, and private prosecutor in the murder case of actress Nida Blanca.
*Catalino R. Castañeda Jr. - former Sandiganbayan Justice
*Diosdado Peralta - Sandiganbayan Justice
*Amado Dimayuga - former Dean of the Faculty of Civil Law and member of the Judicial and Bar Council
*Rosalinda Asuncion Vicente - Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals
*Monina Arevalo Zenarosa - Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals
*Oswaldo Agcaoili - former Justice of the Court of Appeals
*Bernardo Abesamis - former Justice of the Court of Appeals
*Teodoro Regino - former Justice of the Court of Appeals
*Elsie Ligot-Telan - Retired Judge-RTC Quezon City and Malolos Bulacan
*Rosario Lopez- former Chairwoman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office
*Enrique Syquia - former Ambassador of Malta to the Phil. & "The Lawyers Review" publisher
*Lutgardo Barbo - President of Philippine Normal University-Manila, former Governor of Eastern Samar and Secretary of the Philippine Senate
*Victor Ziga - former Senator of the Philippines
*Nilo Divina - Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Equitable-PCI Bank
*Peter P. Ng, BSMT, MPH, MHA, GSC, MNSA, M.D., FPAFP, LL.B., Ph.D.- Medical doctor-Lawyer-Scientist. Medicolegal Practice. Author of books - Forensic Science, Clinical and Legal Bases of Psycological Incapacity, Medical Laws and Jurisprudence, Health Laws of the Philippines, and Legal Research, all printed by Central Lawbooks Incorporated. The youngest full colonel (R) in the Armed Forces of the Philippines at age 39, appointed by the President of the Republic and confirmed by the 14th Congress. Faculty of the San Beda Graduate School of Law.
*Jose Tomas Syquia - Legal Affairs Director of the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission
*Maria Liza A. Lopez-Rosario - family law specialist, 1998 Doctor of Civil Law ("Apto Cum Laude por Unanimidad") from Complutense University of Madrid
*Maria Elena R. Enriquez, M.D., LL.B. - anesthesiologist, forensic expert; 1997 UST Law Valedictorian
*Virginia M. Diaz - visiting professor of law, Waseda University, 1988; Clyde Alton De Witt Fellow, University of Michigan Law School; full professor, De La Salle University-Manila College of Business and Economics; associate dean/acting dean/department chairperson, University of the East, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, St. Theresa's College, and Assumption College
*Hector Villacorta - former Administrator, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office
*Ali Sotto - broadcaster, television host, actress, attended UST Law but did not graduate
*Arlene Maneja - trial lawyer; 1st placer, 2002 Philippine Bar Examinations; Awardee, 2002 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP); Champion, 19th World Universities Debating Championships (WUDC)
*Prudence Angelita Kasala - law lecturer; 8th placer, 2000 Philippine Bar Examinations
*Benigno Par Jr. - certified public accountant; 4th placer, 1998 Philippine Bar Examinations
*Carla E. Santamaria - mathematician-lawyer; 5th placer, 1995 Philippine Bar Examinations
*Corazon G. Ferrer-Flores - private attorney; 10th placer, 1986 Philippine Bar Examinations
*Rene B. Gorospe - bar reviewer, 2nd placer; 1979 Philippine Bar Examinations

Faculty members as of 2006

The Faculty has a pool of full time law professors and part-time professorial lecturers from both the public and private sectors. Most have held high positions in the judiciary and other branches of the Philippine government. They are grouped according to their respective specializations which correspond to the eight subjects covered in the Philippine Bar Examinations: [Faculty list, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, 2006.]
*Civil Law
**Dean Augusto Aligada
**Justice Oswaldo Agcaoili
**Justice Amy Lazaro Javier
**Judge Noli Diaz
**Judge Philip Aguinaldo
**Atty. Lowell Culling
**Atty. Vincent Bolivar
**Atty. Gregorio Fernendez
**Atty. Alden Francis Gonzales
**Dr. Maria Liza A. Lopez-Rosario
**Atty. Carla Santamaria- Seña
**Atty. Teofilo Ragadio
**Atty. Rene B. Gorospe
**Atty. Myra Quiambao
**Atty. Mauricio Ulep

*Remedial Law
**Dean Alfredo L. Benipayo
**Dean Jaime M. Lantin
**Dean Carlos M. Ortega
**Justice Lucas Bersamin
**Justice Diosdado Peralta
**Justice Alexander Gesmundo
**Judge Oscar Herrera
**Judge Maria Cristina Cornejo
**Atty. Roberto Abad

*Labor Law
**Atty. Samson Alcantara
**Dean Antonio Abad
**Atty. Arnold Cacho
**Atty. Cesar Santamaria
**Atty. Peter Ng

*Taxation
**Justice Japar B. Dimaampao
**Atty. Abelardo Domondon
**Atty. Prudence Angelita Kasala-Calimon

*Mercantile Law
**Dean Amado Dimayuga
**Atty. Nilo T. Divina
**Judge Ramon Paul Hernando
**Atty.Amado Tayag
**Atty. Jacinto Jimenez
**Atty. Lowell Culling
**Dr. Albert Palacios

*Criminal Law
**Dean Carlos Ortega
**Justice Edilberto Sandoval
**Justice Diosdado Peralta
**Judge Oscar Pimentel
**Judge Pedro Laggui

*Political Law
**Justice Oswaldo Agcaoili
**Atty. Rene B. Gorospe
**Atty. Edwin Sandoval
**Atty. Enrique Dela Cruz
**Justice Rosalinda Vicente
**Justice Amy Lazaro Javier
**Atty. Myra Quiambao
**Atty. Bernardino Salvador
**Judge Rico Liwanag

*Legal Ethics
**Rev. Fr. Rolando Dela Rosa
**Atty. Lowell Culling
**Judge Philip Aguinaldo

tudent organizations

The Faculty is home to the following student-run organizations: [Student organizations, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, 2006.]

*Civil Law Student Council - the official student government of the law school.
*UST Bar Operations Commission (Team Bar Ops) - the official bar operations and support group of the law school. The group is most active during the months of August to September in preparation for the annual Philippine Bar Examinations during the four Sundays of September.
*"UST Law Review" - the official academic journal of the law school
*Libertas et Iusticia - a volunteer law advocacy group
*Batas Tomasino - a volunteer law advocacy group
*Ordo Luminis Legis - a confraternity of male and female law students
*Aegis Juris Fraternity - a law fraternity; the brother organization of Regina et Legis Sorority
*Gamma Delta Epsilon Fraternity - a law fraternity; the brother organization of Astrea Law Sorority
*Suprema Lex Fraternity - a law fraternity; the brother organization of Lex Aequitas Sorority
*Astrea Law Sorority - a law sorority; the sister organization of Gamma Delta Epsilon Fraternity
*Lex Aequitas Sorority - a law sorority; the sister organization of Suprema Lex Fraternity
*Regina et Legis Sorority - a law sorority; the sister organization of Aegis Juris Fraternity

External links

* [http://www.ust.edu.ph University of Santo Tomas]
* [http://www.ust.edu.ph/sitelinks/insideust/departments/acaddepts_detail.asp?id=15LAW University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law]
* [http://webservice.mnl.ust.edu.ph/gradsch/index.htm University of Santo Tomas Graduate School Law Department]
* [http://libertas.ph/ Libertas et Iusticia]
* [http://www.pinoylaw.net Online Community of Law Students and Lawyers in the Philippines]

ee also

*Legal education in the Philippines
*Philippine Bar Examinations
*University of Santo Tomas

References