MANILA, Philippines - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has formally issued commemorative P100 bills and medals to mark the centennial anniversary of the University of the Philippines College of Law.
BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo presented the UP Law Centennial Commemorative Legal Tender and Medals to UP Law Centennial Commission (UPLCC) chairman Senator Edgardo Angara and UP College of Law Dean Danilo Concepcion in a ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City.
The UPLCC hopes to raise P400 million from the sale of legal tender turned over by the BSP to bankroll the construction of major infrastructure projects and at the same time raise funds to support scholarship programs.
“This is indeed a milestone and we only hope that the younger generation of lawyers can sincerely, consciously and deliberately affirm that if there is no rule of law, there could be no genuine development,” said Angara. “True development of all aspects of the human person can only be achieved in the context of the rule of law. Commemorative tokens such as these remind us that we are human institutions. More than just bricks and stones, we represent ideals. And I hope this celebration would remind us of our role in forwarding them,” he added.
He pointed out that the UP College of Law is indeed a national resource as it has produced and continues to produce top legal minds in the country, providing thought and political leadership in the land.
“We cannot disagree with the College of Law’s representation that it has produced enough number of presidents, vice-president, chief justices and associate justices of the Supreme Court, senators, congressmen, cabinet members, ambassadors, business and bank leaders to make an interesting outline of the country’s political and legal history,” Guinigundo said.
He added that the UP College of Law has also been a critical component in the national effort in building strong legal and business institutions, in crafting laws that are relevant and pertinent to advancing the cause of good governance and in ensuring that we are able to compete in the global arena.
Angara was joined by UP College of Law dean Danilo Concepcion, former Chief Justices Davide and Puno, and Justices Romero, Herrera, Carpio, and Grino-Aquino, all graduates of the College, at the unveiling of the commemorative tokens.
Proceeds of the fund raising activity would be used to construct the UP Graduate School in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City in partnership with the UP College of Business Administration, Engineering and Statistics as well as the construction of a dormitory for UP Law students. The amount would also be used to bankroll student scholarships and faculty development.
The UP College of Law is celebrating its 100th year anniversary this year. Its Grand Alumni Homecoming is set on November 11, 2011 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).