In a historic first, the University of San Agustin College of Law has forged a groundbreaking partnership with the Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) and the Philippine Arbitration Center in the Visayas (PACV), making it the first law school and university in the country to formally collaborate with these institutions in certifying law students as professional mediators.
A total of 88 student-law practitioners from the University of San Agustin College of Law successfully completed training and evaluation in 2024, earning the distinction of Certified Mediators under the joint program. The momentum continued in 2025 with 144 newly certified law student mediators, and a new batch is set to be trained and certified every succeeding year—solidifying the program as a lasting feature of the college’s legal education framework.
This initiative is aimed at strengthening the practical competencies of future legal professionals in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), a key area in modern legal practice focused on resolving disputes efficiently outside the traditional court system.
The certification program, conceptualized and spearheaded by Agustinian lawyer Atty. Joenar Pueblo, developed in coordination with the OADR, equips students with essential skills in negotiation, communication, and conflict resolution. More importantly, it empowers them to begin applying their knowledge in real-world scenarios—contributing to more accessible and amicable justice mechanisms throughout the country.
Through the efforts and facilitation of PACV Executive Director Mr. Steven Alexis Benedicto and Corporate Secretary Ms. Renee Sophia Mangao, who ensured the training and certification of the first batches of student mediators in 2024 and in 2025, the representatives of the OADR lauded the success of the initiative as a major step forward in strengthening ADR capacity nationwide. They emphasized the importance of empowering young legal minds with the tools to mediate and negotiate disputes effectively, especially in a justice system that increasingly values speed, efficiency, and resolution without litigation.
With this pioneering collaboration, the University of San Agustin College of Law sets a precedent for legal institutions across the country, reinforcing its reputation as a trailblazer in legal education and public service.
