University News

PUP College of Law Year-End Commencement Exercises 2026 highlight Excellence, Justice, and Service

Brent Soriano, News, Communication Management Office

The College of Law celebrated its Year-End Commencement Exercises 2026, honoring its graduates from the Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) programs while reaffirming its commitment to producing legal professionals who embody excellence, integrity, and public service.

One of the distinguished speakers, Hon. Jhosep Lopez, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and a Tanglaw ng Bayan Awardee, underscored the College's enduring mission of developing lawyers who remain grounded in the realities of the people they serve. 

"PUP Law seeks to form lawyers guided by social realities. No question about that," Justice Lopez said. He further reminded the graduates that the practice of law extends beyond legal principles, emphasizing that "All PUP lawyers must see that there are lives behind them," highlighting the importance of empathy and social responsibility in the legal profession.

Representing the graduating Juris Doctor class, Julius Leonard Paredes expressed optimism as he shared the aspirations of his batch for the upcoming Bar Examinations. "Our batch would produce a 100% passing rate in the category of first-time takers," Paredes declared. He explained that this goal is their way of expressing gratitude to the University, the College of Law, and Dean Gemy Lito Festin, whom he described as embracing the students "as if we are all homegrown of this University."

During the afternoon ceremony, Hon. Emily San Gaspar-Gito, Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals and also a Tanglaw ng Bayan Awardee, inspired the aspiring lawyers by sharing the perspective that continues to guide her work in the judiciary. "As a justice of the Court of Appeals, when records pile on my table, I see them as people—abused children, poor people seeking justice. When you see your work that way, you will be dedicated each day. Remind yourself like that," she said, reminding the graduates that compassion and dedication remain essential qualities in the pursuit of justice.

Master of Laws graduate Atty. John Arthur Melindo reflected on the significance of completing their graduate studies, emphasizing that the milestone represents more than academic success. "The achievement we shared today is not purely academic. It is a testament to an absolute refusal to compromise," he said. Looking ahead to the graduates' future roles in society, Melindo encouraged his fellow graduates to become agents of meaningful change. "We survived now the trenches and conquered the theory. Now, we return to the real world not just as practitioners but as architects of a better system," he added.

Then, Prof. Gemy Lito Festin, Dean of the PUP College of Law, announced that the College is currently in the process of offering the Doctor of Philosophy in Law (Ph.D. in Law), further expanding its academic offerings. "It is a larger part of the vision of the College of Law to build a complete and progressive pathway in the legal profession—from the Juris Doctor to Master of Laws and eventually to the doctorate level," Dean Festin shared. The initiative reflects the College's commitment to strengthening legal scholarship and providing advanced educational opportunities for future legal professionals.

The event likewise demonstrated the continued commitment of our Sintang Paaralan to the UN SDGs, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing accessible and progressive legal education. It also advanced SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by nurturing future lawyers who recognize the realities and needs of marginalized communities and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by preparing legal professionals who uphold the rule of law, promote equal access to justice, and strengthen institutions through ethical leadership and dedicated public service.

This milestone does not only celebrate the academic achievements of the graduates but also reinforces the mission of the College of Law in producing lawyers who are competent, ethical, and deeply committed to serving society. The messages delivered throughout the ceremony emphasized that the legal profession is ultimately about safeguarding the rights and dignity of every individual and using the law as an instrument for social transformation.