The University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance (SoLG) received one of the first-ever “Educating for Justice Award for Top Contributing Law Schools” conferred by the Legal Education Board on September 19, 2023, at the Cebu City Jail Female Dormitory. 

During the conferment, SoLG Dean Atty. Jose Glenn C. Capanas shared the importance of legal education, especially for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). 

More than a recognition, he emphasized that the award serves as a challenge for the entire USC Law community to remember the importance of the administration of justice. “This award is a challenge to USC to produce more lawyers who can serve the marginalized members of the society,” he added. 

The Prison Ministry that USC Law has been pursuing is part of its thrust to create community extension services that are aligned with the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) Charism centered on human dignity. 

For several years now, USC Law has been spearheading legal aid programs pursuant to the University’s goal of providing an Education with a Mission. It has participated in legal aid caravans, focus group discussions, and jail decongestion, among other initiatives together with different stakeholders and partners. 

USC Law purposely chose the Cebu City Jail Female Dormitory to be the venue of the awarding ceremony as it symbolizes what true legal education is and who it is for. 

The award was based on the number of lawyers produced in the past 10 years. Based on percentage, USC has been consistently ranked by the Supreme Court as the top law school in Visayas and Mindanao in Category A of law schools and 4th overall nationwide.

LEB Commissioner Josefe C. Sorrera-Ty presented the award to USC Law who was represented by Dean Capanas, Assistant Dean Daryl Bretch M. Largo, and USC Vice President for Administration Atty. Joan S. Largo. Joining them were Ret. Court of Appeals Justice Gabriel Ingles, Atty. Bernardino Amago IV, and several students and staff. 

Atty. Mary Grace H. Casano (Executive Director for Legal Aid – IBP Cebu City Chapter) and Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Cebu City Judge Marlon Jay G. Moneva (Convenor of the Cebu City Justice Zone) were also there as partners of USC Law. 

In addition, several PDLs and jail officers were invited to witness the award conferment.