School of Law

School of Law

School of Law

The MLQU Law School
Distinguished Legacy. Legal Education Frontier. Lawyers for Society.
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Who we are

The School of Law will unleash your true potential to equip you to pursue careers centered on the practice of law for a better society.

What we do

The Manuel L. Quezon University – School of Law will thoroughly equip you to become a competent legal practitioner deserving of public trust, armed with the necessary legal knowledge and training as future lawyers that will shape our future.

We aim to develop the following in each of our students:

  • Analytical skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Leadership
  • Legal research
  • Logical reasoning and writing skills

News and Update

MLQU and Public Attorney’s Office Explore Collaboration Opportunities

In a significant step towards fostering partnerships between academic institutions and government organizations, officials from Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) recently met to discuss potential areas of collaboration. The meeting, which took place on July 6, 2023, brought together key representatives from both MLQU and PAO to explore avenues for cooperation.

MLQU SOL and LEB Strengthen Ties at Lunch Meeting

On June 30, 2023, the Executive Vice President of Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU), Lucille P. Ortile, and the MLQU School of Law (SOL) Dean Jose Perpetuo Lotilla hosted a lunch get-together with Atty. Melanie Trinidad, the Chairperson of the Legal Education Board (LEB). The lunch meeting was also attended by Sandiganbayan Justice Michael Frederick Musngi, adding to the significance of the gathering.

MLQU Bar Operation’s Special Lecture Series Continues with Civil Procedure Mentoring-Lecture 3rd Session

Manuel L. Quezon University’s (MLQU) School of Law (SOL) is pleased to announce the continuation of its highly anticipated MLQU Bar Operation’s Special Lecture Series. This series aims to provide valuable insights and guidance to MLQU bar takers and students on various topics related to the legal profession. The upcoming session, scheduled for June 27, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., will focus on Civil Procedure and will be held at Room 205 of Victoria Sports Tower. This article provides a detailed overview of the lecture and its key topics.

Dean Lotilla’s Vision: Nurturing Excellence and Adaptability at MLQU School of Law

Ms. Cassandra Lopez had the opportunity to sit down with Atty. Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, the newly appointed Dean of the School of Law (SOL) at MLQU. The interview aimed to shed light on Dean Lotilla’s vision and plans for the law school’s future.

MLQU Officials Forge Partnership with PCSO to Promote Further Education for Government Employees

In a significant step towards enhancing educational opportunities for government employees, officials from Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) recently met with Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairman Junie Cua. The productive discussion centered around MLQU’s commitment to assisting PSCO employees in pursuing advanced studies in law or their respective fields through master’s or doctoral programs.

MLQU School of Law inspires AFP and PNP Personnel in a Seminar at Camp Aguinaldo

The MLQU School of Law (SOL) and the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) recently had the privilege of addressing a distinguished audience of AFP and PNP personnel during a seminar held at the AFPCOC, Camp Aguinaldo on June 13, 2023. The seminar aimed to provide valuable insight to the attendees regarding post graduate studies and their significance in the pursuit of professional careers and community engagements.

Introducing Atty. Jose Perpetuo “Juju” M. Lotilla as MLQU’s New Dean of the School of Law (SOL)

The Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) is delighted to announce the appointment of Atty. Jose Perpetuo “Juju” Lotilla as its new Dean of the SOL. With an illustrious legal career spanning several decades, Atty. Lotilla brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.

MLQU School of Law Celebrates Remarkable Achievements at Testimonial Dinner

The Testimonial Dinner hosted by MLQU Chairman and President, Atty. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. for the 2022 successful Bar examinees at the Summer Palace of the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Pasig City on June 7, 2023 was filled with joy and pride as the achievements of exceptional individuals in the legal profession were celebrated.

MLQU and PNP Discuss Possible Partnership to Enhance Career Development for Police Personnel

On May 24, 2023, the Manuel L Quezon University (MLQU) had the honor of being invited by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Chief for Administration PLTGEN Rhodel Sermonia, to make a presentation on its program offerings. The meeting aimed to explore options for MLQU to provide career development opportunities for the men and women of the PNP.

School of Law (SOL), in Collaboration with the Bar Operations Committee, Announces Lecture Series to Aid Bar Applicants in Preparing for 2023 Bar Examinations

To assist Bar applicants in their preparations for the highly anticipated 2023 Bar Examinations, the MLQU-School of Law, in joint collaboration with the Bar Operations Committee is proud to announce an extensive lecture series covering various Bar subjects.

MLQU Alumni Association Inc. holds Testimonial Dinner for 2022 Bar Passers

The MLQU Alumni Association Inc. held a testimonial dinner on April 22, 2023, at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City to honor the 2022 Bar passers.

MLQU Passers of the 2022 Bar Exams Take Oath and Sign Roll of Attorneys

On May 2, 2023, 3,992 passers of the 2022 Bar Examinations took their oath before Supreme Court Clerk of Court Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas, and signed the Roll of Attorneys at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Among the passers are 39 from Manuel L Quezon University (MLQU), including Atty. Jennefer Estabillo one of this year’s top notchers.

New Featured Faculty

Justice Maria Filomena Singh

Justice Singh is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English majoring in Imaginative Writing. She then proceeded to law school and earned her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law with Second Honors distinction. She also studied at the Washington College of Law of the American University in Washington, D.C., USA for a Master of Laws in International Legal Studies. She practiced law for 10 years before joining the Judiciary in October 2002 as the Presiding Judge of Branch 31 of Metropolitan Trial Court of Quezon City. She is currently an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, where she served as the Chairperson of the Court’s Committee on Continuing Judicial Education.

Justice Rolando Roberto Martin

Justice Martin is in his sixth year as an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) having been appointed in May 2015. He began his legal career as an Associate Solicitor at the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) right after passing the bar in 1993, where he spent eleven fruitful years. In his eleventh year in the OSG or in 2004, Justice Martin was appointed Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Br. 73 in Antipolo City, assigned to Heinous Courts and Family Courts, where he was likewise designated Executive Judge soon thereafter. After another eleven years or in 2015, he was promoted to his present position as Associate Justice of the CA.

Justice Raymond Reynold Lauigan

Justice Lauigan joined the judiciary in January 2012 when he was appointed as Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 1, Tuguegarao City. Soon thereafter, in March 2014, he was appointed as the Vice-Executive Judge of the RTC, Tuguegarao City. In October 2018, he was promoted to Executive Judge, a position that he held until his appointment on March 3, 2020, as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals. He is presently a Member of the 5th, 14th, 15th 16th and 17th Divisions of the Court of Appeals, arguably the second highest court in the land.

Dean Gwen Grecia-de Vera

Prof. Grecia-de Vera received her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines in 1995 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1996, having obtained the 7th highest ranking in the Bar Examinations. She obtained her Master of Laws degree from Northwestern University in 2010. She served as Dean of the Manuel L Quezon University School of Law in 2015. She is currently a senior lecturer in Political Law and Constitutional Law at the University of the Philippines College of Law, where she also serves as the program lead of the recently launched Competition Law and Policy Program. Prof. Gwen Grecia-de Vera recently returned to PJS Law, where she leads teams in infrastructure and transaction advisory, regulatory and compliance, and arbitration.

Atty. Manuel Riguera

Atty. Riguera graduated in 1991 at the upper third of his class at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law, in Makati City. Upon his admission to the bar in 1992, he worked as a law clerk for former Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. of the Philippine Supreme Court. In 1995, he became counsel for Insular Savings Bank (now Citibank Savings Bank) and in 1997 he was hired as counsel for Philippine Commercial Capital, Inc., one of the top five investment banks in the Philippines. He is a professor of law at the Far Eastern University and the University of the East, where he lectures on remedial law review, which includes civil and criminal procedure, special proceedings, and evidence. He is also the founder of Riguera & Riguera Law Office and Jurists Bar Review Center.

Prof. Roel Arco Refran, CPA, MBA

Prof. Refran is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), lawyer and a capital market professional. He is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE). Roel started his career at SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan before joining public service as chief of staff of Sen. Ralph G. Recto, Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee. He had a brief stint at ACCRA before joining PSE. He is a Professor of Law at Ateneo Law School, lectures in the MCLE and bar review programs, and serves as the Vice-Chair of the Commercial Law and Intellectual Property Law Department of the Ateneo Law School. He holds a Juris Doctor degree (Second Honors) from the Ateneo Law School, and he placed 4th highest in the 1999 national bar examinations, which registered the lowest national passing rate of 16.59% in the history of the bar exams. 

Atty. John Philip Siao

Atty. Siao is an experienced lawyer who has been in the practice of law for more than 18 years. He is adept at solving problems for domestic and foreign clients and corporations. His experience is built on Corporate & Special Projects, Finance & Technology, Dispute Resolution & Arbitration, Labor & Employment, and Taxation Law. He is a founding partner of the Tiongco Siao Bello & Associates Law Offices, which he established after having been with the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw). He is one of the 100 Arbitrators of the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC) which resolves and decides construction disputes. In addition, he is a writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and his articles appear in the Business Section of the paper (https://business.inquirer.net/byline/john-philip-siao). Atty. Siao was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2004 and graduated number 8 in his graduating law school class.  

Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert

Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert is the Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, Branch 89, a designated family court, since August 2009. She is also the Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, having been designated as such since 2016 until the present. She was formerly the Presiding Judge of the Metropolitan Trial Court, Valenzuela City, Branch 81, and became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Judicial Academy, representing the first level courts, from January 17, 2008, until her appointment to the second level court. Prior to joining the judiciary, she was a Public Prosecutor in the City of Manila. In 2019, she was one of the finalists as Outstanding Regional Trial Court Judge.

Programs

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List of Schedules

Accepting Students 1st SEM AY 2021-2020

DetailsDate
Advanced Enrollment up to July 4
Pre-EnrollmentJuly 5 to 17
Enrollment ProperJuly 18 to August 1
Late EnrollmentAugust 2 to 14
Adding of SubjectsJuly 18 to August 14
Petition Class EnrollmentJuly 18 to August 14