MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Pasig and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig (PLP) have established the city’s first law school, appointing former International Criminal Court (ICC) judge Raul Pangalangan as its founding dean.
The appointment was formalized during a meeting of the PLP Board of Regents on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, where Pangalangan officially accepted the invitation extended by Pasig City Mayor and Board Chairperson Vico Sotto to lead the newly established law school.
A Milestone for Local Education
According to statements released by the city government, the launch of the PLP School of Law aims to make legal education accessible to a broader demographic.
The institution highlighted that the school is intended specifically to give qualified, low-income students—especially Pasigueños—the opportunity to pursue law.
“The PLP School of Law aims to provide opportunities to deserving students, particularly Pasigueños and those from families in need, to study law and become lawyers who possess compassion, integrity, and a true spirit of public service,” the state university said in an official statement.
The university added that the newly established law program will be built on the core principles of integrity, public service, good governance, and transformative justice.
Academic and International Leadership
Pangalangan has extensive experience in national and international law. He served as an elected judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, from 2015 to 2021, where he handled cases concerning international criminal law and humanitarian justice.
Prior to his international judicial tenure, Pangalangan worked in legal academia and served two terms as the dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law from 1999 to 2005. He holds both a Master of Laws (LL.M.) and a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) from Harvard Law School. Additionally, he was a member of the Philippine delegation that helped draft the foundational Rome Statute in 1998.
Preparing for the Pioneer Batch
To support Pangalangan in building the law school, the university announced that Peter John Javier will step in as the incoming vice dean for academics. Josephine Lati- Bagaoisan, who chaired the technical working group tasked with creating the institution, will serve as the acting vice dean for administration.
The city administration and the PLP administration are expected to release the official curriculum guidelines, admission requirements, and scholarship application schedules for its pioneer batch of aspiring lawyers in the coming weeks.
Written by Jacob Bernardo
Jacob Bernardo is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
