The University of Makati School of Law (UMaK-SOL) landed once again on the Supreme Court's (SC) list of top-ranked law schools in the country.
Makati Mayor Abby Binay said on Thursday, Dec. 7, that UMaK-SOL's inclusion in the top list of law schools showed the city's commitment to educational excellence.
The SC ranked the UMak-SOL as the top 1 among law schools in the country with 50 or fewer bar exam takers, with a 94.12 percent passing rate in the September 2023 bar examinations.
"The ranking is an affirmation of Makati's commitment to educational excellence that is reflected in the quality of legal education being provided by the UMak School of Law. I believe no one could be prouder today than my father, who initiated the establishment of this institution some six years ago," Binay said.
Former Vice President Jejomar Binay initiated the establishment of the UMaK-SOL during the first term of Mayor Abby on Aug. 7, 2017.
For the past years, through the support and funding provided by the City Government of Makati, it has continuously provided full scholarships to qualified Juris Doctor program applicants from all over the country.
In 2021, the school topped the list of schools with 10 bar exam takers and below after its pioneer batch of nine examinees achieved a 100-percent passing rate.
In 2022, UMak-SOL ranked 2nd after posting an 88.89 percent passing rate, with eight bar passers out of nine examinees.
Meanwhile, the mayor congratulated the 32 successful bar examinees in the recent examinations, including the 14th placer, who earned a score of 87.87 percent.
"I am so happy that UMak SOL has not only produced 32 new lawyers, but a topnotcher no less. Congratulations! You have done our city proud," she said.
Based on the official bulletin released by the SC, Atty. Yvette Veronique De Guzman Rueda from UMaK-SOL passed and ranked 14th in the September 2023 bar exams.
The other 31 UMak SOL graduates who passed were Atty. Lester Agoncillo, Atty. Rochelle Maye Atinaja, Atty. Paola Balunday, Atty. Mark Anthony Bastareche, Atty. Demetrio Cabulay Jr., Atty. Kate Demi Michelle Calansingin, Atty. Erelyn Joy Carpio, Atty. Maria Contancia Freyja Castañar, Atty. Miakela Andrea Cuaconyes, Atty. Liezl Mariel Lot De Jesus, Atty. Jack Lord Dela Cruz, Atty. Lorraine Anne Desengaño, Atty. Sandy Fajutag, Atty. Jodielyn Galano, Atty. Irene Gapay, Atty. Alexandra Mae Geñorga, Atty. Serafin Candido Gozon Jr., Atty. Salha Hamid, Atty. Jochelle Ann Joy Inaldo, Atty. Moairah Banielyn Joy Larita, Atty. Agatha Rebekah Jeunesse Lee, Atty. Maria Alexis Lopez, Atty. Virnadette Lopez, Atty. Baby-Lyn Millano, Atty. Drissa Mae Pascual, Atty. Alexandro Marvin Polancos, Atty. Mary Rose Rios, Atty. Liezl Sarmiento, Atty. Rodel Talaba, Atty. Juny Velez, and Atty. Armenia Valene Vigilla.
Binay also reminded them to continue to embody the aspirations of their alma mater.
"I urge you to hold fast to the principles and values of the legal profession and endeavor to contribute to an orderly, peaceful, and progressive nation. Strive not only to be excellent lawyers, but staunch advocates of justice and the rule of law," she said.
The UMaK is said to be the country's first local university, which is International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-certified, that provides quality and accessible education to young students, particularly those from less privileged families.
It has six academic research centers - the Center for Clinical Legal Education and Legal Aid Services, the Center for Human Rights and Dignity, the Center for Law and Technology, the Center for Energy and Environment, the Center for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, and the Center for Governance and Public Policy.
It also offers a P10,000 monthly allowance and a P20,000 book stipend for two semesters each year which UMaK-SOL scholars can enjoy together with its free tuition and miscellaneous fee.