In a historic first, the U.S. Ambassador, Her Excellency MaryKay L. Carlson, and the Director of U.S. Department of State – Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Director Kelia Cummins, visited the MLQU School of Law last March 30, 2023 to head a consultation meeting with officials from the Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) School of Law, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Asia Foundation, to inquire as to the progress of MLQU’s Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP), which is the only law clinic in the country that is focused on consumer rights protection.
During the said meeting, some MLQU law student practitioners shared their respective experiences in advocating consumer rights and how the DTI helped them during their training. MLQU’s CLEP Director, Atty. Galahad Pe Benito also highlighted MLQU’s plan to further engage in other areas of practice for their CLEP, such as environmental law, and how it relates to their advocacy in championing consumer rights.
Meanwhile, Usec. Ruth Castelo of the Department of Trade and Industry gave her insights regarding the collaboration efforts between the DTI and MLQU School of Law, as well as DTI’s plans on further providing a competent training ground for law student practitioners who also would want to engage in consumer protection.
Ambassador Carlson inquired about MLQU’s plan to equip its students with the necessary knowledge and skills to make them ready for the inevitable technological advancements in the future. In response, MLQU officials cited some subjects which the school currently offers, such as Technological Law and Cyber law, which are geared towards that objective.
Towards the end of the meeting former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, MLQU Dean Emeritus, stressed the importance of advocating consumer rights and how this advocacy would help the country’s economy. He pointed out that just like in other areas of practice, the marginalized sectors are the ones who are most vulnerable when it comes to consumer protection.
On the same date, the MLQU Consumer Assistance Desk was launched during the Consumer Youth Forum, organized by MLQU in partnership with the DTI and The Asia Foundation, with the US Ambassador as its first client. Students ably answered all the questions from the U.S. Ambassador herself, who acted as a complainant.
The US Ambassador remarked that she was impressed by the MLQU law student practitioners. It should be noted that the MLQU School of Law is the first law school visited by the US Ambassador in the Philippines.
