Press Release
August 5, 2011

UP LAW HONORS GRADUATES IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Senator Edgardo J. Angara lauded the University of the Philippines College of Law for upholding a tradition of public service through its first 100 years, as exemplified by its graduates in government led by newly appointed Ombudsman, and former Supreme Court Associate Justice, Conchita Carpio-Morales.

"Remember, the UP College of Law is founded on a promise - to take in the most talented and ambitious among our youth and teach them lawyerly skills to be exercised with honor and a deep sense of public responsibility," said Angara yesterday as he led twin events held at the Malcolm Hall in line with the college's centennial celebration.

"UP Law is not just another law school. It is a public institution, with a mission that goes beyond just making lawyers out of men and women," continued Angara, chairman of the UP Law Centennial Commission.

The college launched yesterday the "UP Law Centennial March" composed and written by Court of Appeals Associate Justice Magdangal de Leon.

The UP College of Law is said to be the first in the whole of UP to have its own official march. Entitled "UP Law Nating Hirang", the march's lyrics include the lines "Itanghal ang batas/ Maglingkod ng wagas".

Angara said this reflects the tradition of upholding the rule of law and of lifelong public service inspired by the UP College of Law.

Afterward, the college also held the "Testimonial for UP Law Alumni in Public Service", an event honoring UP Law alumni who have contributed to nation-building by leading exemplary lives of honor and excellence in public service.

The 62 honorees were appointees of Aquino administration during the centennial year. These include Vice President Jejomar Binay (and chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council); Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales; Department AR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes, Commission on Audit Chair Grace Pulido-Tan; Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Teresita Herbosa; Supreme Court Associate Justice Ma. Lourdes Aranal-Sereno; Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Francis Jardeleza; and Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz.

Angara commended the honorees for embodying the ideals of the UP College of Law. "Today, we hold the promise fulfilled in the persons of the honorees we have with us. Our honorees have distinguished themselves in the profession. We only hope that they continue to be achievers - exemplars who will hopefully light the way to truth and justice - ideals which our law school have always stood for.

"We have an impressive list of graduates and one cannot help but be proud of our alma mater. Let us all continue making our alma mater truly proud," he said.

Angara also encouraged UP Law alumni to participate in the celebrations marking the centennial, and to generously give back to the college through its many projects.

The college aims to raise P300 million, mainly to put up a dormitory for Law students. Angara led the groundbreaking of the UP Law Centennial Dormitory in January.

The college, with the partnership of the College of Business Administration, College of Engineering and School of Statistics, will also build a graduate school branch at the Fort Bonifacio in Taguig. The graduate school will rise on a half-hectare property donated by the Philippine Bases Conversion and Development Authority, whose president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova was also an honoree.

The remainder of the funds will go toward student scholarships, faculty development, and a P70 Million textbook writing project for the faculty.

Angara served as UP President from 1981-1987. He led the university's massive fundraising drives for its diamond jubilee in 1983 and its centenary in 2008.

Angara's term is best remembered for the revitalization of the general education program, the renewed synergy between science and arts, and the institution of the multi-campus system. He also earmarked areas in UP for development, especially for the various science and technology parks that exist there today.

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