Supreme Court swears in new officers of Philippine Association of Law Schools

Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo administered the oath of office to the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS) Board of Trustees and Officers for 2026 to 2028.

In a press statement, the Supreme Court (SC) said the oath-taking was held on March 9, 2026 at the SC En Banc Session Hall in Manila.

PALS is a non-governmental organization that represents law schools across the Philippines.

According to the SC, the new trustees and officers are:

• University of San Jose-Recoletos School of Law Dean Jonathan P. Capanas, Chairperson and Trustee for Visayas;

• Philippine Law School Dean Jose A. Grapilon, President and Trustee for the National Capital Region (NCR);

• University of Baguio School of Law Dean John Ray M. Libiran, Executive Vice President and Trustee for Luzon;

• University of Northeastern Philippines College of Law Dean Remelisa G. Alfelor–Moraleda, Secretary General and Trustee for Luzon;

• Aurora State College of Technology College of Law Dean Raquel R. Dujunco, Auditor;

• Manuel L. Quezon University School of Law Dean Jose Perpetuo M. Lotilla, Trustee for NCR;

• Emilio Aguinaldo College Institute of the Law and Justice Dean and retired Judge Mario Zaldy B. Docena, Vice President for Luzon and Trustee for Luzon;

• Father Saturnino Urios University College of Law Dean Rodney C. Ato, Vice President for Mindanao and Trustee for Mindanao;

• Adamson University College of Law Dean Anna Maria D. Abad, Deputy Secretary General for NCR; 

• University of Perpetual Help System DALTA–Molino College of Law Dean Myra Angeli A. Gallardo-Batungbakal, Deputy Secretary General for Luzon; and

• Cor Jesu College, Inc. Law School Dean Genevieve Marie Dolores B. Paulino, Deputy Secretary General for Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the trustees for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are:

• Manila Law College Dean Sergio M. Ceniza;

• Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion College of Law Dean Alberto L. Deslate;

• Notre Dame of Marbel University College of Law Dean Paisal D. Tanjili, and

• Pagadian Capitol College College of Law Dean Kenny C. Sabellano, respectively.

The Trustees-At-Large include:

• University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos School of Law Dean Dodie O. Turla;

• Ateneo de Davao University College of Law Dean Manuel P. Quibod, and

• Universidad de Manila College of Law Dean Pearlito B. Campanilla.

The following have special appointments: 

retired Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Raoul V. Victorino of Philippine Christian University as Special Consultant; 

Rizal Memorial Colleges Dean Ramdon Edison Batacan as Senior Presidential Advisor; 

Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Dean Silvia Jo G. Sabio as Special Counsel to the President, who took her oath online; 

and Negros Oriental State University Dean Marcelino Mikhail Lee L. Maxino as Representative from the State Universities and Colleges. 

The members of the Board of Advisers are: 

Lyceum of the Philippines University Dean Ma. Soledad Derequito-Mawis, 

Philippine Judicial Academy Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Dean Sedfrey M. Candelaria, 

Polytechnic University of the Philippines Dean Gemy Lito L. Festin, and 

San Sebastian CollegeRecoletos Dean Teodoro A. Pastrana. 

Also present during the ceremony was SC Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario.

-Paraluman News