By Karren Jay G. Asgar

Atty. Ulpiano “Ulan” P. Sarmiento III, Dean of the San Beda College Alabang School of Law, shares his expertise on labor law and students’ rights during the Education Law Conference -Visayas Leg, held at the Educational Media Center, Conference Room.

On September 23, 2025, the Central Philippine University Review, Continuing Education, and Consultancy Center, in partnership with the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Enterprises, hosted the Education Law Conference – Visayas Leg. The event, held at the Educational Media Center Conference Room, featured Atty. Ulpiano “Ulan” P. Sarmiento III, Dean of the San Beda College Alabang School of Law, as the resource speaker.

The program began with an opening prayer led by Rev. Dr. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Director of the Office of Communications, followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Afterward, CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy delivered his welcome remarks, expressing his gratitude to the resource speaker and participants for making the event possible. He emphasized that the conference serves as an inspiration for the community to further value and uphold education law.

Dean Ulpiano “Ulan” P. Sarmiento III, the resource speaker, shared his extensive knowledge and experiences, along with insights from various court jurisprudence. His wit and depth of understanding made the discussion engaging, particularly as he explained how Philippine laws apply within the academic context. He also underscored the importance of institutional awareness of laws and regulations relevant to the education sector.

Participants from 13 schools across Iloilo City and nearby areas attentively listen to Atty. Ulpiano “Ulan” P. Sarmiento III during the Education Law Conference – Visayas Leg held at the Educational Media Center, Conference Room on September 23, 2025.

Atty. Ulpiano “Ulan” P. Sarmiento III serves as the Dean of the San Beda College Alabang School of Law and co-founder of the Firm of Sarmiento, Delson & Resurreccion. He has also served as DECS Assistant Secretary, CHED consultant, and Congressman for the A-Teacher Party-list. His publications, “Laws on Private Basic Education” and “Laws on Private Higher Education,” are widely used references in the field.

In the morning, the session focused on Labor Law, providing participants with a deeper understanding of labor principles and their application within educational institutions. In the afternoon, discussions centered on legal issues affecting students, emphasizing students’ rights and responsibilities within the academic environment.

Representatives from various schools attended the afternoon session, with a total of 13 schools participating. These included John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation – Bacolod; Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus; Saint Barbara Grade School, Inc.; University of San Agustin; Northern Samar Colleges – Main Campus; Iloilo Doctors’ College; St. Therese – MTC Colleges; PMI Colleges; Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion (CPC); San Beda College Alabang School of Law; St. John’s Institute; Ormoc Immaculate Conception School Foundation, Inc.; and Hua Siong College of Iloilo.

The program concluded with a raffle, followed by the giving of a plaque and token to Dean Ulpiano “Ulan” P. Sarmiento III. Dr. Florence P. Bogacia, CPU Vice President for Finance and Enterprises, delivered the closing remarks, and the event ended with a closing prayer led by Pastor Alfred “Palf” Morales, Director of Student Development and Programs.