University News

COL holds commencement exercises; pioneering LLM batch marches

Gicel Roger Salvilla, News, Communication Management Office

The College of Law (CoL) conducted its Year-End Commencement Exercises on July 3, 2025, at Bulwagang Balagtas, Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resources Center (NALLRC), PUP Sta. Mesa Campus, honoring graduates of the Juris Doctor (JD) program and the inaugural batch of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) program.

Degrees were conferred on a total of 119 graduates, comprising 65 from the JD program and 54 from the LL.M. program — 39 under the Public Governance Track and 15 under the Alternative Dispute Resolution Track. The ceremony brought together university officials, faculty members, and families to celebrate this significant milestone for the graduating class.

Atty. Gemy Lito L. Festin, Dean of the CoL, formally presented the graduates, while Vice President for Academic Affairs Emanuel C. De Guzman, representing University President Manuel M. Muhi, presided over the conferment of degrees. Atty. Christian George L. Melitante and Atty. Alexander D. Dumpa were also recognized as recipients of the ‘Best Thesis’ award.

A highlight of the occasion was the presence of Hon. Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, who served as the keynote speaker and was honored with the prestigious ‘Tanglaw ng Bayan’ (Light of the Nation) Award — PUP’s highest recognition for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national development and public service.

In his inspirational message, Justice Marquez emphasized the importance of knowledge and resilience, saying, “The knowledge you gain and the resilience you build will serve as a strong foundation as you champion fairness, integrity, and the service the legal profession demands.”

He also encouraged the LL.M. graduates to lead with purpose and influence: “We look to you to lead by example, to inspire younger and aspiring lawyers, and to use your expertise to uphold the law and further the cause of justice.”

“The Bar Exam this September 2025 is not merely a test of memory or legal knowledge; it is a test of discipline, resilience, and faith. You are not alone. You are equipped, you are trained, and above all, you are called,” Dean Festin addressed the

Addressing the pioneering LL.M. batch, the dean praised their courage and dedication, saying, “You embody the pursuit of excellence beyond the minimum. As the first cohort of the PUP College of Law Master of Laws program, you ventured into uncharted territory with vision and determination. Today, you emerge as torchbearers of advanced legal scholarship.”

Dean Festin then announced the upcoming opening of the CoL’s new building in Lepanto, Manila, underscoring PUP’s ongoing commitment to excellence and its competitive standing among law schools in the Philippines.

Jonathan Benj Andersson B. Abis, student representative of the JD Class of 2025, shared his journey and challenges throughout the four-year program, distilling his experience into three key lessons. First, he stressed the importance of self-confidence by sharing a personal struggle he overcame. Second, he highlighted the vital role of a strong support system during law school, emphasizing that success is a collective effort. Lastly, “Never give up.”

Reflecting on the rigors of law school, he humorously remarked, “People often say that soldiers are the bravest, but I beg to differ — the bravest are law students who come to class unprepared.”

Atty. Christian George L. Melitante, student representative of the pioneering LL.M. class, delivered a heartfelt message commemorating a historic milestone for the CoL.

“But being first is not only a source of pride; it is also a responsibility. As pioneers, we had no footsteps to follow, no alumni to consult, and no proof that the LL.M. program would succeed — until we became that proof. Being first is like being handed a blank page — not to follow a script, but to write a legacy. We built a standard, shaped the experience, tested the system, and honored it,” Melitante said.

The program ended with credits message from Commissioner Lorenzo R. Reyes of the Legal Education Board. The community of accomplished graduates pledged loyalty and sang the PUP Hymn. Some graduates then shared their memorable experiences from the PUP CoL and offered valuable tips for future Sintang JD and LL.M. students.

Mark Reyes, a JD graduate, expressed how privileged he feels to have studied at the CoL, having also completed his undergraduate degree in Banking and Finance at the university. Despite the challenges of being admitted in 2020 — dubbed the “Pandemic babies” — Reyes acknowledged the pressure he felt during the period before face-to-face classes resumed. He credited the faculty for their unwavering support, which helped him persevere and stay strong throughout his studies.

He said, “Faculty wise, magagaling ang faculty members ng PUP and hindi sila nagkulang sa pagtuturo, sulit ‘yung oras na ipinasok namin sa kanila. In fact, mas nahiya nga kaming umabsent, kasi sila perfect attendance lagi.” (Faculty-wise, the faculty members of PUP CoL are excellent and never lacked in their teaching. The time we spent in their classes was truly worth it. In fact, we even felt embarrassed to be absent sometimes because they always had perfect attendance.)

Atty. Aislinn Agodon, a graduate from the pioneer batch of LL.M., shares the university accommodation with the students considering they are working now as lawyers.

“The Master of Law degree program of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines was very accommodating, especially with respect to our workload as lawyers. The lawyers here have a very huge practice, which enabled us to pursue this degree while collaborating with other lawyers. We basically learned from each other not only from our professors.” Agodon said.

The new graduates of JD are scheduled to take the bar examination in September 2025. Meanwhile, the PUP CoL is accepting applications for admission to the Master of Laws program for the Academic Year 2025–2026 until July 10, 2025. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the CoL’s official Facebook page for more information and application details.