The Unpaid Creditor vs The Distressed Debtor

Chair holder Atty. Nilo T. Divina, youngest Dean of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Founder of DivinaLaw, delivered his first lecture on 21 February 2014 at the UST Bar Lecture Room. It was witnessed by retired and incumbent justices and judges, prominent lawyers, bankers and students alike. The event was co-organised by the Philippine Association of Law Schools.

Aptly titled “The Unpaid Creditor vs The Distressed Debtor: Proposals to Balance their Competing Interests”, Dean Divina’s discussion provided the public with insights on banking, lending, and their judicial relevance. His lecture was met with accolades from important guests namely Rev. Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P. (Regent, UST Faculty of Civil Law), Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P. (UST Vice-Rector), former UST Faculty of Civil Law Dean Amado L. Dimayuga (now Dean Emeritus), Mr. Benjamin C. Sevilla (President, Philippine Asset Growth One), Atty. Jose A. Barcelon (Senior Vice President and Head of Legal Services Group, United Coconut Planters Bank), Hon. Ramon Paul L. Hernando (Justice, Court of Appeals), and Mr. Nicanor Torres (Executive Director, Metrobank Foundation). Dean Divina’s lecture was also commended by retired Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban (FLP Chairman of the Board).

Dean Divina obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science (Cum Laude) in 1985 and his Bachelor of Laws (Magna Cum Laude, Valedictorian, Rector’s Awardee for Academic Excellence) in 1989, both from the University of Santo Tomas. He started his career in law as the clerk of court of the Regional Trial Court of Pasig City. In 1992, he moved on to become an associate attorney at the Misa Castro & Associates Law Offices. From there, he was appointed as Corporate Secretary of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) where he eventually became its youngest General Manager and Chief Legal Adviser. In 1993, he joined Equitable Bank where he was initially hired as consultant and eventually became Equitable Bank’s youngest Vice President. Upon the merger of Equitable Bank with the Philippine Commercial International Bank (PCIB), the Bank promoted him as its youngest Executive Vice President/Corporate Secretary and General Counsel. Equitable PCI Bank (now Banco De Oro) is the country’s largest bank. In 2006, Dean Divina founded the Divina and Uy Law Offices which is currently the biggest Thomasian law firm in the country with 25 lawyers. Its clientele includes banks, financial institutions, top corporations, various publicly and privately-owned entities, as well as individuals with varied interests.

Dean Divina is the Author of the “Handbook on Commercial Law”.

21 February 2014
Dean Nilo T. Divina
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law
“The Unpaid Creditor vs The Distressed Debtor:
Proposals to Balance their Competing Interests” (download PDF)

Singing of the Philippine National Anthem

Mr. Nicanor Torres, Executive Director of the Metrobank Foundation delivering the Welcoming Remarks on behalf of Metrobank Foundation President Mr. Aniceto Sobrepeña