Dean Joan Sarausos-Largo weighed into current discussions regarding the ASEAN Integration 2015, and expounded on how this regionalization and collective identity building process can ideally foster liberty and prosperity under the rule of law. Delivering a speech in Cebu City on September 11, 2014 , the University of San Carlos (USC) School of Law and Governance Dean captivated an audience comprised of USC law students and faculty, as well as esteemed guests including FLP Chairman and retired Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban, retired Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr., President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña of the Metrobank Foundation, FLP President Evelyn T. Dumdum, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Representative Glenda Reyes, USC President Fr. Dionisio M. Miranda, SVD, Court of Appeals Cebu Station Executive Justice Gabriel T. Ingles, Mme. Justice Portia Alino- Hormachuelos (newly-elected University of the Visayas Gullas Law School Dean), members of the first and second level courts, officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and deans of various law colleges and universities in the Visayas region.
Her lecture entitled “A Glass Half Full: ASEAN Integration 2015 and the Imperative for Reforms in the Legal Profession and the Legal Education in the Philippines” served as a timely reminder that the legal and judicial system must take the opportunities the ASEAN Economic Community will open when its ten member states open their gates in the next 5 years.
Dean Largo highlighted the importance of initiating a national conversation regarding the competencies of the Filipino lawyer, not only in the light of the ASEAN integration but also in keeping up with the global trends of the 21st century. While the changing currents may bring forth new perspectives as well as cross-cultural transformations, Dean Largo strongly emphasized that all the more new policies must remain evidence-based and constantly informed by empirical data and critical thought.
Equally important is the revitalization of the legal education. Her lecture also gave sound insights on how to nurture new lawyers who will ensure that the Filipino nation alongside other Southeast Asian nations will mutually benefit from the ASEAN’s economic and cultural growth.
Named as an Outstanding Graduate of the 500-year old University of San Carlos, Cebu, Dean Largo graduated Class Valedictorian and Magna Cum Laude in Political Science, and Cum Laude in Law, on top of being the Valedictorian of her Law Class. In 2000, she passed the Bar Examinations and was at the top 20 of successful examinees where only sixteen (16%) percent of all candidates passed. At age 28, she was appointed Assistant Law Dean of her Alma Mater’s College of Law. She is the youngest professor in the College to have occupied the administrative post.
Engaged in trial and appellate practice, Dean Largo is a partner at the Florido Largo & Acuña Law Offices.
11 September 2014
Dean Joan Sarausos-Largo
University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance (Cebu)
“ASEAN Integration 2015 and the Imperative for Reforms
in the Legal Profession and the Legal Education in the Philippines” (download PDF)
FLP President Ms. Evelyn Toledo-Dumdum and USC Dean Joan Sarausos-Largo
FLP President Ms. Evelyn Toledo-Dumdum delivering her remarks on behalf of the foundation
Ms. Glenda Reyes of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and
USAID Trade-Related Assistance for Development (TRADE) Project
Introducing the Professorial Lecturer
Response from guests
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