By Karren Jay G. Asgar
The Central Philippine University College of Law Legal Aid Clinic held its Culminating Activity for Batch “Consurgo” on June 20, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at the Conference Room of the Educational Media Center (EMC).
The program marked the completion of the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) requirements of the Law Student Practitioners (LSPs) and highlighted their training and fieldwork experiences in legal aid and community service. As part of their CLEP formation, the LSPs actively provided legal services under the Clinical Legal Education Program pursuant to the Revised Student Practice Rule (A.M. No. 19-03-24-SC), Rule 138-A of the Rules of Court.
The program was divided into two parts. Program Part I included the opening prayer by Ms. Micah Danielle J. Villanueva, singing of the Pambansang Awit, and the welcome remarks by Atty. Aila Rae B. Endonila, CPU College of Law Dean. In her speech, Atty. Endonila underscored three key principles for the LSPs: that integrity is non-negotiable, preparation is indispensable, and service is the heart of preparation. She encouraged the students to uphold these values throughout their legal training and future practice, reminding them that competence and character must always go hand in hand in serving others through the law.
This was followed by the introduction of the inspirational speaker by Ms. Esther Joy S. Tomugdan. Reflections from the field were then delivered by Atty. Marielle Therese J. Jacomile, who shared personal experiences that underscored the importance of faith, knowledge, and service in the legal profession.
Program Part II featured “What’s Next? From LSP to Lawyer,” delivered by Atty. Liza Lyn S. Lamason-Garcia, Assistant Dean of the CPU College of Law and Director of the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP).
The program also included the Recognition of Distinguished Performance under CLEP Summer 2025.
The awards included the Outstanding Externship Performance Award (PAO): Amistas, Therese Mae Alga; Atadero, Achaia Vanessa Daniel; Benedicto, Welmar La-as; Bocario, Gian Carlo Banihit; Dolorfino, Stephen Ian Galarpe; Gabales, Kisszette Marie Trono; Ledesma, Stephanne Ecube; Loquiano, Jocel Relatibo; Mondero, Eirene Hope Camral; Potato, Dynli Charm Atillano; Salazar, Rojan Elijah Moscoso; and Sarinopia, Feline Joy Mijares.
The Excellent Lecturer Award: Amistas, Therese Mae Alga; Atadero, Achaia Vanessa Daniel; Azuelo, Jenny Pearl Miraflores; Gandarosa, Ismael Suriaga; Potato, Dynli Charm Atillano; Salazar, Rojan Elijah Moscoso; Tadifa, Maria Louise Andrea Benueza; Tauro, Mark Librella; Uytiepo, Sharmen Gallas; and Villorente, Avie Servidad.
The Excellent Program Facilitator Award: Alayon, John Denver Petilla; Cordero, Marby Joy; and Faduga, Peter Joushua Fortit.
The Exemplary Coordinator Award: Alayon, John Denver Petilla.
The Excellent Outreach Team Award was likewise presented to the following teams. Team A was composed of Alayon, John Denver Petilla; Gandarosa, Ismael Suriaga; and Pamati-an, Mayrielle Derecho. Team B was composed of Sevilla, Jocyl Loubelle L.; Tiples, Heranne Marie L.; and Bocario, Gian Carlo B. Team C was composed of Atadero, Achaia Vanessa; Barcelona, Rutchyl; and Jalpone, Michelle Ann. Team D was composed of Cordero, Marby Joy; Villorente, Avie; and Tadifa, Maria Louise Andrea. Team E was composed of Benedicto, Welmar; Jarder, Anne Margaret; and Salazar, Rojan.
The program continued with a response and closing remarks delivered by John Denver P. Alayon. It concluded with group photo documentation and a prayer for the fellowship lunch led by Ms. Karren Jay G. Asgar, with Jemar C. Alerta, who also served as the program host.
The event was also attended by Atty. Ina Noelene Bernales, CLEP Supervising Lawyer, and CPU College of Law staff members Ms. Rodalyn D. Quimba and Ms. Melody Herminanda.
Notably, on June 23, 2025, fifty-four Centralian law students took their oath as Law Student Practitioners (LSPs) at the Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice, presided over by RTC Executive Judge Rose Edith Togonon.
Following their commissioning as LSPs, the students underwent a series of learning activities under the Clinical Legal Education Program, engaging in extensive legal education and community outreach initiatives across Iloilo. These activities included lectures, legal aid services, and community engagements conducted in various schools, barangays, government offices, detention facilities, and partner institutions. They likewise completed Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) externships and CLEP clinic internships.
The outreach activities began on April 3, 2025, with the Kasanagan lecture on the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 and the Safe Spaces Act at the Educational Media Center. This was followed on April 8, 2025, by Project: Alalayi, which conducted a lecture on the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the Safe Spaces Act at Iloilo National High School, and on June 24, 2025, by another lecture on the Safe Spaces Act and Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 at New Lucena National Comprehensive High School.
The series of outreach engagements continued throughout the year, covering multiple advocacies and legal topics across various communities. On September 16, 2025, a lecture on the Safe Spaces Act, VAWC, and warrantless arrest was conducted at Brgy. Bo. Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City, followed by a Safe Spaces Act lecture on October 17, 2025, at Brgy. Cubay in Jaro, Iloilo City. On November 14, 2025, a lecture on the Anti-Bullying Act and Safe Spaces Act was held at Sta. Barbara National Comprehensive High School, while on November 19, 2025, a discussion on the Good Conduct Time Allowance and Indeterminate Sentence Law was conducted at the BJMP Male Dormitory in Ungka, Iloilo City. On November 27, 2025, another outreach on the Anti-Bullying Act and VAWC was held at Zarraga National High School.
On November 28, 2025, an all-day legal consultation on ending violence against women was conducted at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Lobby, followed by a lecture on the Anti-Bullying Act and Safe Spaces Act on December 11, 2025, at Alimodian National Comprehensive High School. The outreach further continued in 2026, beginning on January 27, 2026, with a lecture on the Anti-Bullying Act, Safe Spaces Act, and DepEd Child Protection Policy at Ramon Avanceña National High School in Arevalo, Iloilo City, and on January 31, 2026 with a lecture on VAWC and Katarungang Pambarangay at Brgy. Lanit Multi-Purpose Gym in Jaro, Iloilo City.
On February 13, 2026, Kasanagan 2026 activities were held at Central Philippine University featuring lectures on VAWC and alternative class sessions, while on February 20, 2026, simultaneous lectures on Anti-Hazing and Safe Spaces Act/Child Protection Policy were conducted at CPU EMC and Mandurriao National High School. On February 21, 2026, a lecture on Safe Spaces Act and VAWC was held at Oton Command Center.
On March 2, 2026, a lecture on Good Conduct Time Allowance and Probation Law was conducted at BJMP Ungka, followed by a week-long Legal Help Desk operation from March 2 to 6, 2026 at the Capitol Grounds in Iloilo City. Outreach activities continued on March 6, 2026, with lectures on the Safe Spaces Act, Anti-Bullying, and VAWC at Tagsing-Buyo National High School in Sta. Barbara, and on March 10, 2026, with a lecture on the Safe Spaces Act, Anti-Bullying, and Child Protection Policy at La Paz National High School. On March 14, 2026, simultaneous lectures on Safe Spaces Act/VAWC and Anti-Rabies/VAWC were conducted at PHINMA-UI and Jalaud Norte, Zarraga.
On March 17, 2026, a lecture on the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and VAWC was conducted at CPU Senior High School AVR, followed by outreach sessions on March 31, 2026, at Iloilo City Proper and on April 14, 2026, at MT Building AVR 2, both focusing on VAWC. On April 16, 2026, lectures on VAWC, Cybercrime, Safe Spaces Act, and Anti-Hazing were conducted at JBLFMU Arevalo.
On May 6, 2026, a lecture on Safe Spaces Act and Anti-Agricultural Sabotage was held at CARES Building, followed by a Good Conduct Time Allowance and Probation Law lecture on May 8, 2026, at BJMP Ungka. On May 12, 2026, a lecture on VAWC and warrantless arrest was conducted at Brgy. Cabugao Sur, Pavia, Iloilo. On May 15, 2026, lectures on Simple Imprudence, Medical Malpractice, Safe Spaces Act, and VAWC were held at Iloilo Mission Hospital, while on May 20, 2026, a lecture on the Anti-Bullying Act and Safe Spaces Act was conducted at Brgy. Lanag, Sta. Barbara.
On May 25, 2026, lectures on Dangerous Drugs Act, VAWC, Probation Law, and GCTA were conducted at BJMP Female and Male Dormitories. On June 3, 2026, lectures on the Rights of the Child were held at the Home for Boys in Lapuz and the Crisis Intervention Center in Molo. On June 5, 2026, lectures on Safe Spaces Act, Media Etiquette, VAWC, and warrantless arrest were conducted in Brgy. Baldoza and Brgy. Macatol. On June 10, 2026, a Safe Spaces Act lecture was held in Iwa-Macatol, Pototan, Iloilo, followed by a lecture on the Data Privacy Act on June 11, 2026, at the Acosa Accounting Office in Mandurriao.
These cumulative activities underscored the College of Law’s commitment to experiential legal education through its Legal Aid Clinic, which provided supervised hands-on training in legal services, outreach lectures, and sustained community engagement.