Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno inaugurated the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Presidential Lecture Series 2008-2010 on January 12, 2008 at the DL Umali Hall, UPLB, Laguna. The Chief Justice gave the inaugural lecture on “The Legacy and Relevance of Pres. Jose P. Laurel” in tribute to the first UP alumnus to become president of the Philippines.

Providing a brief account of the former President’s works and accomplishments, Chief Justice Puno emphasized the importance of human rights in the country’s efforts to achieve sustainable development. “At this crucible period in the life of our nation, we need to be reminded and re-invigorated by the courage, nationalism and relevance of a Jose P. Laurel especially his fight for social justice,” said the Chief Justice, inviting the audience, composed mostly of students from the Southern Luzon region, to “add their individual and collective voices to the plea of a patriot to fight for social justice.”

Sponsored by the Upsilon Sigma Phi, the oldest fraternity in Asia that is exclusive to UP, the three-year Lecture Series is the fraternity’s contribution to UP’s centennial celebration. The Lecture Series “will review (our) sense of history and (our) being Filipinos in the context of contemporary issues and problems.” It aims to serve as a venue for dialogue and introspection aimed at promoting historical discourse as a means towards building-up group consensus.

Aside from Chief Justice Puno, Upsilon has also scheduled lectures by former Presidents Joseph E. Estrada (Dec. 2008), Corazon C. Aquino (Feb. 2009), and Fidel V. Ramos (Jan. 2010), who will talk on their respective presidencies. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who will talk on her incumbency, is scheduled to give the final lecture in February 2010.

Other scheduled lecturers are Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II for President Manuel A. Roxas (Jan. 2009), Senator Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. for President Ramon F. Magsaysay (February 2008), and former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos for President Ferdinand E. Marcos (July 2008).

The rest of the scheduled lecturers are Mr. Manuel Quezon III for President Manuel L. Quezon (July 2008), National Artist Alejandro Roces for President Diosdado P. Macapagal (Sept. 2008), Foreign Affairs Sec. Alberto G. Romulo for President Elpidio R. Quirino (Nov. 2008), Mr. Ambeth R. Ocampo for President Emilio F. Aguinaldo (Aug. 2009), Dr. Resil Mojares for President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. (Sept. 2009), and Mr. Hilarion Henares, Jr. for President Carlos P. Garcia (Nov. 2009).

A copy of the Chief Justice’s full lecture may be downloaded from the Supreme Court website at http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph.