UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES LAW CENTER
The Paralegal Training Program is an extension service and training program of the UP Law Center which aims to lay the foundation for the development and professionalization of paralegal work in the country.
The Paralegal Training Program (PTP) of the UP Law Center recently concluded its Anniversary Dinner on September 7, 2024, at the Atencio-Libunao Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City, as part of its yearlong celebration of its 10th anniversary, with the theme: “Pag-inog, Pag-usbong, Pagsulong: Isang Dekadang Dangal at Husay.” In attendance were the graduates of the PTP certificate courses, PTP lecturers, the PTP committee and its staff. The night started with the welcoming remarks of DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, in which he recalled how paralegals have truly contributed not only to the practice of the legal profession but also to the smooth and efficient administration of justice. Thereafter, recognitions were given to the distinguished mentors and alumni who have given themselves to the training and education of trainee paralegals for the last decade. Among those who were given recognition as founding members of the PTP were Prof. Danilo Concepcion, Prof. Fides Cordero-Tan, Prof. Concepcion Jardeleza and the late Prof. Eduardo Labitag. The bulwarks of the PTP were also acknowledged, among which were Atty. Hosanna T. Ayson, Atty. Paul Kenneth Davis and Atty. Elizabeth Pulumbarit. The lecturers of the PTP for the past ten years were also credited for their invaluable contribution to the training of paralegals. The graduates also shared their stories and memories, as well as how the PTP contributed, not only to their own growth, but that of the legal profession as well. <p> <iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ax1kpQqUvZMmgpd2xK0WvP3UldEzK77_/preview" height="640" width="100%" allow="autoplay"></iframe> </p> While everyone was enjoying their dinner, and each other’s company, the UP Concert Chorus gave a performance that captured how the PTP contributed to the improvement of the paralegal practice in the country since 2014. The anniversary dinner ended with the closing remarks of the present chair of the PTP, Atty. Elizabeth Pulumbarit, and the singing of the UP Naming Mahal. The attendees described the anniversary dinner as a memorable experience filled with nostalgia, evoking fond memories of the training experience, and a hope for continued growth and success in the years to come for the PTP.
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PTP Kicked Off its 10th Year Anniversary Celebration: Legal Writing Seminar for Paralegals The Paralegal Training Program (PTP) of the University of the Philippines Law Center (UPLC) recently concluded a legal writing seminar for paralegals last June 20, 2024 to kick off its 10th anniversary celebration. The seminar was attended by two hundred and eleven (211) paralegals and aspiring paralegals alike from different sectors of society including law offices, government offices, private business enterprises, self-employed persons, business owners, fresh graduates, freelancers and non-governmental organizations at the University of the Philippines BGC Auditorium, 32nd/38th Street, Taguig City. Atty. Donna Z. Gasgonia and Atty. Elvira Veronica D. Escueta-Duavit led the legal writing seminar and lectured on the essentials of legal writing as applied to the functions of a paralegal. The two lecturers impressed upon the trainees the types of legal writing, critical thinking and analysis, the stages of legal writing, sources of law and evidence. Atty. Jelorie F. Gallego was the overall coordinator of the whole-day seminar. The seminar was divided into the morning and afternoon sessions which were filled with technical yet engaging discussions on the foundations of legal writing which prepared the paralegals for their legal writing exercises. The trainees were specifically tasked to prepare a demand letter and a complaint affidavit as an output and as a requirement to attain a certificate of participation from the PTP. The trainees were not only equipped with knowledge and skills after the seminar but were also inspired to learn more. As a trainee noted: “The seminar was well organized. Hope there will be more training/seminars like this!” Another expressed his gratitude to the unique learning experience and said: “Thank you very much UPLC PTP. This Legal Writing Seminar is very helpful for me and I'm looking forward to apply these learnings soon! Excited to join more of your upcoming seminars… Maraming salamat po! I also love the free packed lunch! Really appreciate it.” The training seminar was fittingly concluded by the words of Atty. Elizabeth R. Pulumbarit, the chair of the PTP, in which she recognizes the important role of paralegals in the work of lawyers and in the administration of justice. She wittingly modified a cliché, saying: “Behind every successful lawyer, there is a paralegal”. A Decade of Quality Training The PTP was initially conceived as a first level, foundation and certificate training course in non-degree paralegal studies. It is aimed to provide trainees with basic legal knowledge and practical skills in the effective and efficient performance of paralegal tasks as a means of upgrading and professionalizing paralegal services, thus assisting in and contributing to the administration of justice in the country. The first foundation course was successfully launched on January 17, 2014 and the rest is history. To date, the PTP has conducted twenty-nine (29) foundation certificate courses and numerous specialized courses which were tailor fitted to the needs of a specific set of trainees or paralegals. Some trainees of the PTP were inspired to pursue a career in law and became lawyers, while others continued to serve as a paralegal for their specific offices or advocacies. 10th Year Anniversary Celebration As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, the PTP will be holding a “roadshow” in various parts of the country, from Luzon to Mindanao, by conducting legal writing seminars. This will provide more opportunities for paralegals from the different parts of the country to enhance and improve their skills and knowledge in their important roles as paralegals. This legal writing seminar is just the beginning. Better keep in touch and look out for updates at our Facebook page: UP Paralegal Training Program!
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The Paralegal Training Program (PTP) of the UP Law Center has concluded and held its closing ceremony for its 27th Foundation Certificate Course (PTP 27) at the Malcolm Theater of the UP College of Law on August 26, 2023 Two hundred three (203) trainees were awarded certificates of completion for complying with the ninety-four (94) training hours of legal fundamentals, paralegal skills and practical applications over a period of twelve (12) weeks from May 27 to August 26, 2023. Of the 203 certificated trainees, 170 “graduates” attended the closing ceremony in-person while the rest of the batch attended the same online and synchronously through zoom. H.E. Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, the Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, and former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France, graced the event. An alumnus and member of Class 1983 of the UP College of Law, Usec. Lazaro, in In her address to the PTP 27 certificated trainees, shared nuggets of her expertise and experiences as a diplomat, civil servant, and public officer over the course of several decades, including her participation in the filing of the complaint and the ensuing litigation and conclusion of the arbitral ruling over the West Philippine Seas. She underscored the value and importance of law and diplomacy in the international relations and the enforcement and maintenance of the rule of law among nations and states. She also cited the critical role and importance to the work of paralegals in achieving the landmark arbitral feat for our country and their role in the administration of justice. In her inspiring words addressed to the participants, she said: “You can be what you want to be because of the excellent training that you had at the UP College of Law. And entities in this society will always be in need of your service as paralegals because the law is fundamental and the administration of justice is existential”.
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The Paralegal Training Program (PTP) conducted its weekly interactive Question and Answer (iQ&A) forum in a hybrid manner last July 1, 2023 (Saturday). Out of the 200 trainees for PTP 27, almost 100 were able to attend the face-to-face iQ&A in the four corners of the Malcolm Theater, Malcolm Hall, UP, Diliman, Quezon City. The program started with a brief introduction and background of the Malcolm Hall, the home of the UP College of Law, by Atty. Marwil Llasos. Equipped the with the richness of Malcolm Hall’s history, the trainees were graced by the presence of Atty. Sedfrey Garcia who answered their inquiries regarding Property Registration and Conveyancing. Atty. Sedfrey Garcia is currently the Registrar of Deeds of Mandaluyong City. He is also the RD Operations Vice Chairman of PHILARIS Application Land Registration Computerization Program. Late in the morning, Atty. Minerva Ambrosio gave a lecture on the Law on Persons and Family Relations. Atty. Ambrosio has, in her private practice for over 30 years, specialized in family law and criminal law involving women and children. In the afternoon, Atty. Froilyn Doyaoen-Pagayatan gave a lecture on the Fundamentals of Succession and the Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate. Atty. Froilan currently teaches Succession and Private International Law at the University of the Philippines College of Law and Business Laws and Taxation at the Mapua University. The iQ&A forum is an avenue for the trainees to clarify and ask matters relating to the topic lectured by a mentor of the PTP. Usually, the iQ&A is conducted online where the mentor answers the trainees’ questions live or in a pre-recorded manner. What a treat it has been for the trainees to see the PTP’s esteemed mentors in person!
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A person who has been trained and holds authority to provide a specified number of legal services and trained in subsidiary legal matters but not fully qualified as a lawyer.It relates to a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer. Currently, Congress has yet to pass a law to make the paralegal profession a recognized and licensed profession in the country.
The Paralegal Training Program is:
2. Designed to provide its participants with basic and practical knowledge of substantial legal concepts
There is no law yet which recognizes paralegals as a licensed profession, and, therefore no certain guidelines have been established in order to be a practicing paralegal. Nevertheless, certain qualifications are needed in order to be a truly effective paralegal. A paralegal, though not a lawyer, must be qualified, through education, training or work experience, in providing assistance to a lawyer in the delivery of legal services. S/he must possess knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law that would qualify him/her to do work of a legal nature.
“Dangal” or honor is the guiding principle which the University of the Philippines bases all other principles in the pursuit of its noble goals. It is abiding by truth and having integrity despite the temptations of giving in to the comfort of taking the easier but dishonorable route.
It is with “dangal” that the Paralegal Training Program conducts its trainings. Rigorous, technical and systematic training is offered to its trainees with the goal in mind that it is by ethical and moral means with which one should acquire and utilize knowledge. “Dangal” is so embedded in the education of its trainees that the knowledge and wisdom learned are purposively used for the betterment of our country.
The University of the Philippines is known for its “Husay” or excellence for contributing leaders, researchers, and graduates who have influenced and shaped the Filipino nation. Partnered with “dangal”, “husay” is geared towards the common good and utilizing such excellence in the service of the Filipino People.
The Paralegal Training Program, through its esteemed mentors, trains present and future paralegals to achieve their potentials in giving themselves to the service of being a paralegal. Through methodical and tailor-fitted training, “husay” is achieved by our trainees.
The Paralegal Training Program is an extension service and training program of the UP Law Center which aims to lay the foundation for the development and professionalization of paralegal work in the country.
To be a paralegal in the Philippines, one needs to have at least a bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts or humanities, or a background in law. However, these undergraduate courses cannot prepare a student to face the bureaucratic labyrinth.
The Paralegal Training Program of the UP Law Center was designed to provide its participants with basic and practical knowledge of substantial legal conecpts pertaining to government; the judicial system; civil, criminal and quasi-judicial procedure; jurisdiction of local government units; ethical standards of judges, lawyers and civil servants; and the rules, regulations, and procedures of various administrative agencies.
At the end of the program, the participants are expected to have developed the following abilities: to identify, analyze, and evaluate common conflict areas in paralegal work; to recommend law-based resolutions; and to process common legal transactions with trial courts and government agencies.
The Paralegal Training Program was launched last January 7, 2014 with 52 accepted trainees out of 98 training applicants. Each participant must complete twenty-six (26) three-hour sessions that covers a period of three months.
The program is the first step in a ladder of specialized training programs of the UP Law Center for the development of the paralegal profession in the Philippines. This activity of the UP Law Center is pursuant to its mandate as an institution dedicated to teaching, research, training and legal extension services.
The UP Law Center Paralegal Training Committee is composed of: Profs. Eduardo A. Labitag and Concepcion L. Jardeleza, Attys. Elizabeth R. Pulumbarit, Hosanna T. Ayson, Marwil N. Llasos, Jacqueline Veloria-Mejia and Michael T. Tiu, Jr., with UP College of Law Dean Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II and Associate Dean Solomon F. Lumba as Advisers.
FOR PTP31 (ONLINE)
The application period is from July 22, 2024 to August 23, 2024 (or until the slots are full)
Registration and payment details will be sent to the accepted applicants via email.
FOR ONLINE PTP
It will consist of twenty seven (27) modules spread over twenty nine (29) training sessions of three (3) hours per session, or a total of ninety four (94) hours.
The online PTP will adopt a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods — The lectures shall be done asynchronously via Google Classroom wherein a series of recorded video lectures will be posted weekly for the trainees to access and study at their own pace and time. The synchronous activities, such as the iQ&A Forum every Saturday, shall be done via Zoom.
| PTP Certificate Course Number | Training Schedule | Application Period |
|---|---|---|
| PTP 32 | January 25, 2025 to May 3, 2025 | November 3, 2024 to December 15, 2024 |
| PTP 33 | May 24, 2025 to August 23, 2025 | March 31, 2025 to May 2, 2025 |
| PTP 34 | September 13, 2025 to December 13, 2025 | July 7, 2025 to August 15, 2025 |
LECTURE MATERIALS
The handouts of all “knowledge” modules, which have been prepared by the Lecturer, are to be distributed online (soft copies) and are intended to be read and studied by the trainee at his/her own pace and convenience.
VIRTUAL LEARNING SERIES (VLS)
Asynchronous online modular delivery of bundled 2-3 modules using Google Classroom and other appropriate online platforms for the preparation and delivery of lectures weekly.
INTERACTIVE Q&A FORUM
A live, synchronous, interactive Q&A forum between trainees and lecturers for each Virtual Learning Series
TEMP CHECK
Mentorship and group activity which applies the basic legal doctrines and principles as well as rudiments of legal writing and legal research.
COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
5. Passing marks for all pop quizzes
The 27 Modules will cover a total of 94 training hours, excluding the estimated hours to be spent by trainee for the assignment/tasks for practical applications of learnings and the corresponding performance assessment tools.
Tel. Nos.: 8925-5855, 8920-5514 loc. 313 and 314
Mobile Nos: 0917 5805954 & 0905 4330753
Email: ptp_law.upd@up.edu.ph
