SC issues TRO vs. PhilSAT as law school admission requirement

By Benjamin Pulta

March 18, 2019, 12:27 pm

MANILA -- The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday released to newsmen a copy of the temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the Philippine Law School Admission Test (PhilSAT) as an admission requirement for law schools.

The resolution dated March 12, signed by SC Clerk of Court Edgar O. Aricheta, explained that the TRO is "effective immediately and continuing until further orders from the court" and enjoins the implementation of the Legal Education Board's (LEB) Memorandum Circular 18 dated June 8, 2018.

"Those who have not taken the PhilSAT prior to the beginning of the Academic Year 2018 to 2019, or who have taken the PhilSAT but did not pass, or are honor graduates with expired PhilSAT Exemption Certificates may now be allowed to conditionally enroll as incoming freshmen law students under the same terms as LEB Memorandum Order 11, series of 2017," the SC said in the resolution.

Two suits, initiated by individuals mostly from the academe before the SC, are questioning the validity of the creation of Legal Education Board under the executive department as it may encroach on the constitutional powers of the judiciary to regulate the practice of law in the country.

The High Court held oral arguments on the petition last March 5. (PNA)

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