(BUSINESS MIRROR) THE Senate recently commended students and coaches of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law who bagged the world championship in the 2024 Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who filed Senate Resolution 1004, said UP Law’s success, which was borne out of rigorous training, grit, determination, and teamwork, deserves a citation from the Upper House as it brought pride and honor to the country.
“The historic triumph underscores the top-notch caliber of Filipino students and the high quality of legal education in the country, which can go head-to-head with the best and most brilliant minds around the world,” Estrada said.
“The team’s skillful display of wit, remarkable grasp of international law, keen understanding of complexities of world affairs and the frameworks for the promotion of a rules-based global order signal a bright future for legal scholarship for the country,” he added. “The future lawyers’ exemplary [feat] serves as an inspiration for the younger generation to pursue excellence in their chosen field.”
For the senator, the latest feat of the UP College of Law is “truly remarkable, cementing their reputation as among the best of the best and underscoring their legacy of excellence in the international arena.” The landmark win comes nearly three decades after their last triumph in the same competition.
The team is composed of Mary Regine Dadole, Pauline De Leon, Pauline Samantha Sagayo, Chinzen Viernes, and Ignacio Lorenzo Villareal, under the guidance of Prof. Marianne Vitug as coach, and Prof. Rommel Casis as advisor.
In another show of unparalleled skill, Villareal also received the “Schwebel Award” for “Best Oralist” in the final round of the competition.
The “Jessup” is considered the world’s largest, oldest and most esteemed moot court competition which is held annually since 1960. This year, close to 700 law schools in 100 countries and territories vied for the highly coveted title.