Espiritu-backed fund supports legal research, faculty, and law journal revival at MLQU.
A legal scholarship program is directing new funding into how lawyers are trained at Manuel L. Quezon University, with a focus on faculty strength, research, and long-term academic performance.
The initiative comes through Benjamin A. Espiritu, Sr. Endowment Fund for International Law, established to honor the late Benjamin Espiritu, a Harvard-trained lawyer and MLQU School of Law alumnus recognized for his work in international law and legal scholarship.
The fund supports a professorial chair in international law, faculty development, scholarships, and the revival of the school’s law journal, alongside broader research and publication efforts. It draws from Espiritu’s academic path, including his teaching work at MLQU and contributions to legal journals during his career.
Building credibility from within
It also forms part of a broader push to rebuild the school’s research culture, with plans to strengthen academic publications and encourage deeper study of both Philippine and international legal issues.
The goal is to produce better lawyers, something the country needs now more than ever.
MLQU has been steadily strengthening its law program over the years, with measurable results. Bar exam performance has improved from single-digit levels in earlier years to over 80% in recent cycles, following sustained reforms in teaching standards and faculty recruitment.
The school is also working to attract more experienced faculty and expand opportunities for both professors and students, including support for writing, specialization, and exposure to global legal frameworks.
The approach leans heavily on building credibility from within the institution, with emphasis on consistent instruction, stronger academic output, and deeper engagement with international legal frameworks.
By tying funding directly to teaching, research, and long-term academic development, the initiative reinforces a model that prioritizes discipline, competence, and professional standards over quick wins.
Backed by Benjamin A. Espiritu, Sr. Endowment Fund, MLQU is revitalizing its law program through faculty development, international law research, and a restored law journal to meet rising professional standards.
