In a notice issued on Monday, April 7, the Legal Education Board (LEB) reminded the public that it has ordered the closure of the University of Manila (UM) College of Law.
The LEB stated in its notice that UM College of Law was notified of the closure on June 5, 2024, and that the closure was effective starting the academic year 2024 to 2025.
“However, the LEB has received information that the school continues to accept enrollees,” the LEB said. “Hence, this notice is issued to warn the public that the Legal Education Board does not recognize enrolment in the said school.”
The board further explained that the school was ordered closed due to “dismal performance in the bar examinations, failure to meet the prescribed curriculum and academic standards for legal education, and deficiencies in institutional facilities and resources necessary for quality legal instruction.”
The LEB also said that it remains committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of legal education in the country.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna clarified on Tuesday, April 8, that the University of Manila, a private higher education institution, is not the same as the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Universidad de Manila, both city government-funded public higher education institutions. It is also not to be confused with Manila Law College.
The Legal Education Reform Act of 1993 provided for the formation of the LEB that supervises the country’s law schools, sets standards for them, and accredits them.
‘Dismal Bar Performance’
According to the Supreme Court’s law school performance report, no UM College of Law graduates took the 2024 bar exams.
An LEB report on law schools’ 10-year performance reveals that from 2011 to 2020, UM College of Law had passing rates of 14.11 percent overall and 18.59 percent for new examinees. Within the 10-year period, the school only saw 59 bar passers become lawyers.
As of writing, the LEB has not yet responded to a request for further comment regarding its academic standards. UM also has not issued a response to the notice.
