Juris Doctor students Justin Gular (JD III), Laurence Obaob (JD II), and Chrisha Romano-Weigel (JD I) won a record 6th championship for the University of San Carlos in Square Off: The Firm Debates, Season 17.

The Firm Debates championship round was held last July 19, 2019 and televised on ABS-CBN News Channel. The competition, sponsored by law firm Villaraza and Angangco, features law students from schools nationwide pitting words and wits hoping to bring glory to their respective schools.

The other Season 17 finalist was a team from the University of Batangas, who took the negative side on the issue “The Philippines is not bound by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Resolution for a comprehensive international review of the Philippines’ drug war.” USC defended the affirmative position in the debate.

The debaters, who are all members of the USC Law Mooting and Debate Team, were coached by School of Law and Governance Dean Joan Largo, and faculty members Atty. Daryl Bretch Largo and Atty. Rashid Pandi.

Also taking the affirmative side in the semifinal round, USC bested Notre Dame University on the issue “Allowing China to fish within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zones is unconstitutional,” with Chrisha Romano earning Best Speaker honors. In the other semifinal round, University of Batangas took the affirmative side against the University of the Cordilleras on the issue “Public officials and employees should be excluded from the protection of bank secrecy laws.”

With reporting from Justin Gular

Tags: Law