FEU dean joins academic leaders on judicial philosophy
Far Eastern University Institute of Law Dean Melencio Sta. Maria is now a member of the Chief Justice Panganiban Professorial Chairs on Liberty and Prosperity (PCLP).
PCLP encourages educational institutions to shed light on the essential relation of liberty and prosperity. Only nine other prominent figures from the leading law schools in the country hold the professorial chair title.
“Dean Mel exhibits resolve and uprightness with his vision. This country needs more lawyers like him and we are proud to welcome him to our program,” says Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, also an alumnus of FEU.
As his first initiative as chair holder, Sta. Maria led a public lecture on Human Rights, Politics, International Law and Trade Arrangement and Economic Prosperity: A View of the Philippine Situation. With reference to the government and the controversial issue of extra-judicial killings, he explained the connection between human rights and the country’s economic growth – pointing out that the lack of reverence of the law may affect international trade in the long run.
“Our country is experiencing some measure of economic growth, but without improvements on how we value human rights, this will not last. It is the government’s duty to protect and guarantee that the people of this country enjoy our basic rights,” Sta. Maria said.
Other members of the talk’s esteemed panel included Ateneo Human Rights Center executive director Ray Paolo Santiago, Ateneo School of Government Ronald Mendoza, and University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance dean Joan SarausosLargo.
Founded in 2011, FLP perpetuates the core judicial philosophy of retired Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban – “that jurists and lawyers should not only safeguard the liberty of people but also nurture their prosperity under the rule of law.”