Mariano Marcos
State University

RTC judge administers oath of 34 MMSU law student practitioners

By Niña Christelle Sumintac, STRATCOM Correspondent

Thirty-four law students from the Mariano Marcos State University College of Law (MMSU-COL) formally took their oath as Level I and Level II Law Student Practitioners (LSPs) before Hon. Maria Corazon M. Labrador, Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court, on September 8 at the Bulwagan ng Katarungan, City of Batac.

The new Level I LSPs are Christian Lorens D. Adatan, Ninotchka Jade Andres, Elen June Arcangel, John Allen D. Cariaga, Leianne Zyra C. Calderon, Mark Charlie H. Catungal, Drexel Kit B. Delos Santos, Meeka B. Delos Santos, Dana Meryll C. Gapas, Carmella Jane K. Gay-ya, Jan Mariah Dimaya, Rex Antonius E. Morales, Jamaica M. Pascual, Ma. Angelica G. Ranada, Khristal Caila A. Rosete, Niña Christelle M. Sumintac, Jerrick Andrei Tubera, and Sheryl Anne B. Umali.

Meanwhile, the Level II LSPs are Brylle Lancelot B. Abad, Alyssa C. Abdala, Ena Pearl B. Caluya, Ana Marie Faith L. Corpuz, Xennia Keizia F. Fernandez, Neil Archie L. Garcia, Nikki Gene O. Garma, Princess Camille Ann C. Lazaga, Denise Reina Marie A. Lorenzo, Marsha Angela Y. Manuel, Johanna May R. Mata, Roman Alejandro P. Nalupta, Dennise Aira Omli, Raymart G. Peralta, Charmaine S. Ventura, and Tiana May F. Villaluz.

The oathtaking ceremony was witnessed by supervising lawyers of the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP), namely Atty. Saniata Marcos-Taclan, College Secretary and Legal Officer; Atty. Jenrietta Camille J. Rivera; and Atty. Lorma Q. Cuadro, Chief of the MMSU Center for Legal Aid, Research, and Advocacy (MMSU CLARA). Also present were College Dean, Atty. Brian Jay Corpuz and Atty. Ernie Labrador, Chief Clerk of Court.
As newly certified LSPs, the students are set to complete 100 hours of externship in partner institutions such as the Public Attorney’s Offices and the City Prosecutor’s Offices of Batac and Laoag, the Provincial Prosecutor's Office, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Ilocos Norte Chapter. The externship forms part of CLEP, a mandatory experiential training program for law students under the Supreme Court’s Revised Law Student Practice Rule (Rule 138-A).

Under Sections 3 and 4 of Rule 138-A, Level I certification is granted to students who have successfully completed their first-year law courses, while Level II certification who meet the academic requirements. These certifications authorize law students, under the supervision of accredited faculty lawyers, to perform a wide range of legal functions.

Level I practitioners may interview clients, provide legal advice, draft documents, negotiate on behalf of clients, represent eligible parties before quasi-judicial and administrative bodies, conduct public legal orientations, and assist in public interest advocacies. Level II practitioners may perform all Level I functions, and additionally prepare judicial affidavits, assist in depositions, appear before courts and tribunals, prosecute criminal cases for government agencies (subject to Rule 110 of the Rules of Court), draft pleadings in appealed cases, and provide legal aid through MMSU CLARA.

Through these roles, the MMSU COL ensures that law students gain meaningful exposure to real-world legal practice while extending much-needed legal services to the public.