Salonga Center Formally Launched
August 26, 2006
     

      Former Philippine Senator Jovito Salonga was the guest of honor and speaker of the 18th Silliman University (SU) Law Alumni Association, Inc. general assembly on August 26, 2006 at the Villareal

The formal launching of the Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development was held during the 18th SULAW Assembly at the Villareal Hall in Silliman University.

Hall of the SU College of Law, Dumaguete City. The assembly also coincided with the launching by the former senator and former member of the Board of Trustees of the university, of the Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development at the SU College of Law.

       Among those who were present at the event were SU President Dr. Ben Malayang III, SU Board of Trustees chairperson Prof. Leonor Briones, SU College of Law Dean Atty. Myles Nicholas Bejar, SULAW President Atty. Eduardo Sedillo, and Salonga Center Director Atty. Mikhail Lee Maxino.

       A miniature model of the proposed Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center building, which would be constructed adjacent to the Villareal Hall in the SU Campus, was also presented in the assembly. Currently, the center holds office at the ground floor of the Villareal Hall, which also houses the SU College of Law.

       The Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center engages in the study and application of law and jurisprudence from an interdisciplinary perspective towards policy development and transforming society to better the lives of our people. It is goal-driven instead of being confined by themes. Thus, the Center deals with laws on

Former Senator and former member of the Silliman University (SU) Board of Trustees Jovito R. Salonga (right) with current chairperson of the SU Board of Trustees (left), during the launching of the Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development in Silliman University, Dumaguete City.

the environment, human rights, public governance, women, children, juveniles, and other areas that will promote political, economic, and social development.

       The Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center seeks to help design and channel societal demands. It articulates diverse societal preferences and serves as an independent shaper of the policies that emerge. It pioneers in what the Center calls Transformative Law – the study and application of law to transform society, forge policies through advocacy, legal education, research, training, and service-learning.

       Aside from the launching and opening center which was led by Dr. Salonga, the awarding of the 2006 Outstanding SULAW awards to two alumni for their contribution to society also took place in the same event. The awardees were Alvin Dans in the field of public service and lawyer Emilio C. Capulong Jr. in the field of human rights advocacy.

       The annual gathering is part of the 105th Founders Day celebration of Silliman University.