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Public and the Country
“Pro Bono Publico Et Patria”

Manila Law College

Overview

The Journey to Excellence of the Oldest Filipino Law School in the Philippines

The Manila Law School (MLC) traces its origin to the renowned “Escuela de Derecho de Manila,” which was founded in 1899. It is therefore the country’s first Filipino law school.

On June 12, 1898, the first Philippine Republic was born with the proclamation of Philippine Independence. The New Philippine Republic needed a Constitution in order to define its guiding principles and establish the organs of government. The much-heralded First Philippine Constitution or the “Malolos Constitution”, which was promulgated on January 21, 1899, was principally authored by Don Felipe Gonzales Calderon.

Don Felipe G. Calderon saw the need for the establishment of a law school which could train Filipino lawyers and provide legal services to the people and government of the New Republic. He then founded the “Escuela de Derecho de Manila” on June 28, 1899 — and became the school’s first-ever dean. Since then, the school has trained lawyers who later became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, magistrates, government officials, and law practitioners.

In 1930, in keeping with a trend to teach law in the English language in line with the American Occupation of the Philippines, Supreme Court Justice Felix Angelo Bautista converted the “Escuela de Derecho de Manila” to Manila Law College. Justice Bautista became the Dean of the Manila Law College, succeeding the position from founder Don Felipe G. Calderon.

Others who followed Justice Bautista as MLC Dean were: Manuel Camus, Perfecto Laguio, Justice Edgardo L. Paras, Enrique C. Galang, Arnulfo M. Flores, Pablo Meer, Justice Porfirio V. Sison, Amb. Benjamin B. Domingo, Felipe R. Fragante, and Judge Joselito C. Villarosa. The incumbent Dean is Prof. Sergio M. Ceniza.

MLC is now headed by its President, Prof. Rodolfo Valentino F. Bautista. He is the son of former President and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Eduardo J. Bautista, Sr., and the grandson of Supreme Court Associate Justice Felix Angelo Bautista.

Program Goals

Vision

The Manila Law College aims to be the country’s leading private and non-sectarian law institution in the formation and development of career Filipino lawyers who are committed to the highest intellectual, moral, and socio-cultural standards.

Mission

  1. To provide effective legal education by engaging the services of competent, dedicated, and honorable members of the Bar and the Bench.
  2. To produce lawyers who are imbued with high intellect and solid divine purpose, and who are steadfastly ready to defend the constitutional and statutory rights of every citizen.
  3. To expose its students to the influence of great men and women whose preparation and training, intellectual capacity, and moral values are exemplary.
  4. To encourage the participation of its faculty and students in civic and social programs and community projects for the amelioration of the plight of the less privileged.

Objectives

The general law program hopes to provide students with high legal education at the least possible cost, and to prepare them for a law practice that is geared towards public service and social justice. Towards this end, the law program is designed:

  1. To provide quality legal education in order to produce not only good lawyers, but model and career Filipino lawyers as well.
  2. To develop and prepare the youths of strong character and intellect to become leaders in various fields of the society.
  3. To inculcate in its students the love of country, public service, and social justice by faithfully obeying the Constitution and the statues and by putting high premium on the inalienable rights of the people.

Freshmen:

  1. Original and two photocopies of Transcript of Records (TOR)
  2. Original and two photocopies of baccalaureate degree Diploma
  3. Certificate of Good Moral Character from the college/university where baccalaureate degree was completed
  4. Two 2×2 ID pictures

Transferees:

  1. Certificate of Honorable Dismissal from the last law school attended
  2. Original and two photocopies of Transcript of Records (TOR) or Certified Copy of Grades from the last law school attended
  3. Certificate of Good Moral Character from the college/university from the last law school attended
  4. Two 2×2 ID pictures
  5. Letter of Application with the following details:
    1. Complete name
    2. Date of birth
    3. Sex
    4. Residential address
    5. Contact number
    6. Name of last school attended
    7. Baccalaureate degree completed
    8. Year baccalaureate degree was completed
    9. Occupation (if applicable)
    10. Name and address of employer (if applicable)
    11. Name of parents or persons to contact in case of emergency and their contact details

Message from the Dean

The MLC Law Academic Program

MLC takes pride in its distinction as the oldest Filipino law school in the country.

Aside from such distinction, MLC distinguishes itself as the school of the ordinary, hardworking Filipino students. At MLC, we give the optimum opportunity to students with a limited budget for a law school education to pursue their dreams of becoming members of the Bar. MLC kept its tuition fees low but academic standards high to encourage more students to obtain a law degree and bring their dreams of becoming lawyers to complete fruition.

The Peculiarity of MLC as a Law School of Choice

Most law schools train their students to pass the Bar Exams. Others hone their students to become great lawyers.

In MLC, we journey with our students as they trek the long and arduous road to achieve their dreams. The goal is not only to pass the Bar exams but to be great lawyers. We take pride in providing our students with high-quality legal education at a very affordable cost. MLC endeavors to achieve its mission of helping an ordinary man achieve his dream of becoming a lawyer and being a valuable asset in Philippine society.

Why Study at MLC?

The cost of legal education in the Philippines is beyond what an ordinary working student can easily afford. We, at MLC, do not subscribe to the idea that only those who are financially well-off can pursue their dream of becoming lawyers. MLC takes pride in providing one of the most affordable tuition fees among law schools in the country. Despite its low tuition fee, MLC has a corps of professors comparable to the best schools in the Philippines. Our professors are composed of national bar reviewers, veteran academicians, justices and judges, prosecutors, high-ranking government officials, and law practitioners from well-known law firms.

Join us at MLC today and take your first step towards the achievement of your dream!

Atty. Sergio CenizaDean of Manila Law College