By Henrylito D. Tacio
In the last 54 years, there has been no new law school in Davao City despite an increasing number of students wanting to become lawyers. There are only two universities in the city that offer law courses: the Ateneo de Davao College of Law and the University of Mindanao College of Legal Education.
The good news is that there is new law school: Jose Maria College (JMC) College of Law. “Since its establishment, JMC has had the development of a college of law in its strategic plan,” explained Atty. Israelito P. Torreon, the incoming dean who has also just been elected Vice President for Mindanao of the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS).
Over the last 13 years, JMC has developed leadership skills and excellence in students in the field of education, communication, and information, as well as in business and social science. “The establishment of a law school is the next natural step of JMC in the advancement of its vision and mission,” Torreon pointed out.
So how does JMC College of Law differ from other law schools in the city? “First of all, it is within the commitment of JMC that the College of Law will prepare the students for a career in law, train them for service, responsibility and leadership by offering a law course that is affordable but without compromising the quality of legal education it gives,” Torreon said.
Next, the number of students admitted is limited. “The size of all first-year classes will intentionally be kept to approximately 40 students or less,” he said. The reason: “so that there will be two sections of each class to ensure a high degree of classroom interaction.”
As the newest law school in the city, it has the most complete and advanced facilities. At the main lobby is a central atrium/student lounge, which is an excellent place for students and faculty to gather informally in study groups, meet for extracurricular activities, or simply relax in between classes.
The classrooms/lecture halls are adjacent to each other, very spacious, fully air-conditioned, with comfort rooms for both boys and girls in each classroom, and well–lit. “They are especially designed for law students,” Torreon said.
Teaching, he said, is made more effective with the help of overhead LCD projectors. Not only that, internet connectivity is provided in each lecture hall to allow the faculty members to incorporate the latest information while delivering the lectures.
Just beside the Dean’s office is the law school’s well-furnished Moot Court Hall. “It is like a practical court room for students — maybe even better — for them to get accustomed to the atmosphere of courts, a perfect setting for real court scenarios so that the students may improve their skills in law and advocacy of law,” Torreon explained.
The JMC College of Law has a fully air-conditioned library that provides an ideal and peaceful ambience for undistracted pursuit of knowledge and skills for the students.
Just for a bit of history, the JMC, with an intention of opening a law school, submitted a Letter of Intent addressed to the Legal Education Board (LEB). After the board received the letter, representatives from LEB and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) came over to Davao City to thoroughly discuss with JMC its preparedness to open up a law school.
According to Torreon, after full compliance with all the recommendations made by LEB, JMC was granted the permit to operate a law school for school year 2016-2017.
The College of law is the brainchild of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is President of JMC. He is ably supported by an efficient staff led by Dr. Nelly Q. Canada, the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Likewise, it is supported by a roster of accomplished and promising faculty. Atty. Torreon is presently the Dean of the Cor Jesu College of Law in Digos City, a post he has held for five years. He will eventually transfer to JMC effective June 2016.
Atty. Torreon is considered as one of the best lawyers/litigators in the country. With his outstanding scholarship and breadth of experience, it will just be a matter of time that JMC College of Law will become a recognized leader in legal education with a commitment to excellence and service.
And since Atty. Torreon is currently the Vice President for Mindanao of PALS, expect that there will be partnerships to be forged with other law schools in the country.
Now, law students have a choice where to pursue their dreams of becoming lawyers.
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