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Author	Prof Maria Lulu Gutierrez Reyes
Organisation/Institution	University of the Philippines, College of Law
Country	PHILIPPINES
Panel	Legal Education
Title	Higher Legal Education in the Philippines: Locating the Necessity of State Regulation
Abstract	Name of presenters: Maria Lulu G. Reyes and Jerico G. Gay-ya Title of paper: “Higher Legal Education in the Philippines: Locating the Necessity of State Regulation" Category: Legal Education The question of regulation of higher legal education in the Philippines has long been a subject of heated debate, particularly in light of the evolving demands of the legal profession and the role of lawyers in the country’s broader socio-political context. This paper seeks to examine the current regulatory framework governing legal education institutions, including the roles of the Legal Education Board (LEB), the Supreme Court, and public and private law schools in advancing higher legal education. In examining the complex nexus of government regulation of legal education, judicial regulation of the legal profession and practice, legal education institutions in the Philippines have to abide by laws and rules shaping standards of admission, curriculum design, and professional readiness for a Master of Laws and Doctorate of Juridical Science degrees. By analyzing existing policies, jurisprudence, and comparative models from other jurisdictions, the research aims to identify gaps and inconsistencies in the Philippine system that hinder the development of competent, ethical, and globally competitive lawyers. The paper will also explore the tension between academic freedom and state regulation, assessing how these dynamics affect institutional autonomy and educational quality. Ultimately, the study seeks to recommend reforms that balance regulatory oversight of advanced degrees in law with innovation, ensuring that higher legal education remains responsive to national needs while aligning with international best practices. The findings are expected to contribute to ongoing discourse on legal education reform and provide actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and the legal profession at large.
Biography	Maria Lulu G. Reyes is the former Program Coordinator of the Master of Laws Program of Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines. She and Imelda Deinla Co-Authored “Tipping the Balance? Politics, Personalities and Institutions in the Philippine Supreme Court”, which is included in “Contesting the Philippines” edited by Steven Rood and Veronica L. Taylor. Singapore : ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 2024; and “Impeachment in the Philippines: Politics, Institutions and Leadership,” found in Chapter 12, Impeachment in a Global Context: Law, Politics and Comparative Practice, edited by Chris Monaghan, Matthew Flinders, Aziz Z. Huq, Routledge, 2024. Jerico G. Gay-ya is the former Dean of the School of Law of Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines. Both authors obtained their Master of Laws in San Beda University Graduate School of Law, Manila, Philippines, and are now law professors in Cordillera Career Development Colleges, Inc., Benguet, Philippines.