Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay on Thursday commended the University of Makati – School of Law for being consistently listed as among the top-ranked law schools in the Philippines.
The Supreme Court ranked UMak as the top institution, with 50 or fewer bar exam takers, after posting a 94.12 percent passing rate in the September 2023 bar examinations.
In 2021, UMak also topped the list of schools with at most 10 bar examinees after its pioneer batch of nine examinees achieved a 100-percent passing rate.
Last year, the school ranked second in the same category after posting an 88.89 percent passing rate, with eight bar passers out of nine examinees.
“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,” Mayor Binay said.
Through the initiative of then Vice President Jejomar Binay, the UMak School of Law was established during the first term of Mayor Abigail Binay on August 7, 2017. For the past six years, it continuously provided full scholarships to qualified Juris Doctor program applicants from all over the country, supported and funded by the local government of Makati.
Binay congratulated the 32 successful bar examinees from UMak, including14th placer Yvette.
“I am so happy that UMak has not only produced 32 new lawyers, but a topnotcher no less. Congratulations! You have done our city proud,” she said.
The mayor reminded the graduates to continue pursuing the aspirations of their alma mater and strive to contribute to an “orderly, peaceful, and progressive nation.”
“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 other 31 UMak School of Law graduates who passed the September 2023 Bar Examinations include Lester Agoncillo, Rochelle Maye Atinaja, Paola Balunday, Mark Anthony Bastareche, Demetrio Cabulay Jr., Kate Demi Michelle Calansingin, Erelyn Joy Carpio, Maria Contancia Freyja Castañar, Mikaela Andrea Cuaconyes, Liezl Mariel Lot De Jesus, Jack Lord Dela Cruz, Lorraine Anne Desengaño, Sandy Fajutag, Jodielyn Galano, Irene Gapay, Alexandra Mae Geñorga, Serafin Candido Gozon Jr., Salha Hamid, Jochelle Ann Joy Inaldo, Moairah Banielyn Joy Larita, Agatha Rebekah Jeunesse Lee, Maria Alexis Lopez, Virnadette Lopez, Baby-Lyn Millano, Drissa Mae Pascual, Alexandro Marvin Polancos, Mary Rose Rios, Liezel Sarmiento, Rodel Talaba, Juny Velez, and Armenia Valene Vigilla.
Apart from free tuition and miscellaneous fees, UMak scholars enjoy a P10,000 monthly allowance and a P20,000 book stipend for two semesters each year.
At present, the school has six academic research centers. These include the Center for Clinical Legal Education and Legal Aid Services, Center for Human Rights and Dignity, Center for Law and Technology, Center for Energy and Environment, Center for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, and Center for Governance and Public Policy.
The UMak is the country’s first ISO-certified local university that provides quality and accessible education to young students, particularly those from less privileged families.