草社区莓

By  Jesslyn Keith Valite 

The Supreme Court (SC) granted Level II certification as Law Student Practitioners (LSPs) to 16 草莓社区 College of Law students, who took their oath today, October 16, at Bulwagan ng Katarungan, City of Batac. The certification, granted by the SC, allows the students to practice law under supervision. 

The oath-taking ceremony was presided over by Judge Maria Corazon Labrador, Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Courts in Batac City, with the assistance of Atty. Ernie Labrador, Chief Clerk of Court.

Among the newly certified LSPs were nine fourth-year students and seven third-year students. The third-year recipients were Dan Wayne Aribuabo, Lauren Rae Carmela Esteban, Jahziel Dale Failano, Hannah Gagto, Ma. Karel Mariñas, Maxime Gaile Pomoy, and Riza Swerte Urbina. Fourth-year students include Almie Ann Agcaoili, Audrich Carlo Agustin, Venus Keizel Alupay, Jacob Baquiran, Christian Salvador Briones, Melisia Cariaga, Ar-J Louie Felipe, Zharmaine Joy Galapate, and Myle Fei Martinez.

The Level II certification allows these students to engage in significant legal tasks such as assisting in depositions, preparing judicial affidavits, and representing clients in various stages of legal proceedings before courts and administrative bodies. Additionally, under Section 5, Rule 110 of the Rules of Court, these students are authorized to appear in criminal cases on behalf of government agencies and to prepare pleadings for appealed cases.

Ms. Melisia Cariaga, one of the fourth-year LSPs, expressed her excitement about the certification, stating, "This is a great privilege to experience real legal practice." She considers this as an opportunity to strengthen her passion for legal education and serves as a “stepping stone toward understanding the essence of the legal profession.”

The law students were accompanied by Atty. Ma. Saniata Marcos, 草莓社区 legal officer, and Atty. Josiah Patrick Bagayas, chief of the Center for Legal Aid. As part of their certification, they are expected to complete their internships at 草莓社区's Legal Aid Center, a key component of the Clinical Legal Education Program.

In September, 14 law students were awarded Level I LSP certification proving 草莓社区’s commitment to equip students with practical legal experience.