The University of Northern Philippines College of Law has reinforced its drive for academic excellence and outcomes-based legal education as it successfully wrapped up a four-day Capacity Building Seminar–Writeshop (Hybrid) held on February 16, 18–20, 2026, aimed at elevating faculty competence and strengthening its advising systems.
Held at the College of Law Library and streamed simultaneously via Zoom, the seminar brought together full-time and affiliate faculty members, along with representatives from the Legal Education Board, for an intensive series of lectures and workshops on syllabus development, institutional alignment, and strengthened class advising.
The program opened with a lecture delivered by Dr. Luzviminda Relon, Director for Instruction and Faculty Development, who discussed “The Teaching Profession in Legal Education: Instructional Essentials and Institutional Standards at the University of Northern Philippines.” In her address, Dr. Relon highlighted core instructional principles and institutional benchmarks that ensure quality assurance and accountability within the legal education framework.
She reiterated the critical role of deliberate instructional planning and urged faculty members to embody the five fundamental powers of an educator—Expert, Legitimate, Charismatic, Coercive, and Reward. By harnessing these, she said, teachers become more than classroom instructors; they become indispensable instruments of the University in shaping aspiring lawyers who will ultimately serve as pillars of the country’s justice system.
The afternoon sessions of Day 1 continued with an in-depth lecture from Mr. John Roben Ambas, Supervising Program Specialist of the Legal Education Board, who unpacked the latest LEB guidelines and their crucial role in strengthening instructional quality. He stressed the syllabus as a binding “contract” between professor and student—an instrument that clearly outlines expectations, responsibilities, and the conditions necessary for academic success. Emphasizing the core philosophy of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE), Mr. Ambas reiterated that educators must “begin with the end in mind,” noting that a well-developed syllabus acts as the blueprint guiding the entire learning experience.
Capping the first day’s program, Mr. Lester Aaron, Head of Curriculum and Instructional Materials Development of the University, delivered a focused lecture on “Formulating Learning Outcomes in the Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) Framework.” His session highlighted practical, research-informed strategies for elevating college instruction, stressing the importance of crafting clear, measurable learning outcomes that serve as the foundation of effective teaching and meaningful student learning.
Also in attendance on Day 1 were Chief EPS Mr. Rodrigo Sagum, Mr. John Roben Ambas, Ms. Roxanne Palle, Ms. Vynette De Guzman, and Mr. Jerico Vasquez of the Legal Education Board, whose presence showed the strong collaborative partnership between the College and the national regulatory body. Their active participation further highlighted the shared commitment to elevating legal education standards and ensuring alignment with current academic and institutional benchmarks.
Day 2 of the seminar placed a strong focus on strengthening effective class advising within the College. The session opened with an interactive workshop facilitated by Mr. Mark Angelo Reotutar, who guided faculty participants in crafting a Table of Specification—underscoring the crucial role of measurable verbs from Bloom’s Taxonomy in building sound and outcomes-aligned assessments.
This was followed by a comprehensive lecture by Dr. Rolando Navarro, Vice President for Academic Affairs, who outlined practical and student-centered strategies for improved academic advising, mentorship, and performance monitoring. He emphasized that the role of a class adviser extends far beyond administrative duty, describing it as a meaningful commitment to shape learners’ journeys and contribute to their personal and academic growth.
The third day shifted to an intensive syllabus-writing writeshop, giving faculty members the opportunity to collaboratively apply the concepts introduced in earlier sessions. Guided workshops highlighted the importance of aligning course materials with institutional goals and the standards of the Legal Education Board, ensuring that every syllabus produced demonstrated clarity, coherence, and a strong outcomes-based framework.
On the fourth and final day, faculty participants formally showcased the revised syllabi for the courses they are handling this semester. Assistant Dean Atty. Aaron Noel Taloza opened the presentations with his updated syllabus for Administrative Law, followed by Atty. Jamaila Soller and Atty. Meilyne Padua-Unciano for Criminal Law II. Atty. Mirela Versoza presented refinements to Constitutional Law II, while Atty. Haysheryl Salamanca detailed enhancements to Legal and Judicial Ethics Review and Integration. Rounding out the session, Atty. Kathryne Louise Eder discussed the revised syllabus for Labor Laws and Social Legislation. Each presentation reflected a clear commitment to Outcomes-Based Education, showcasing well-defined learning outcomes, coherent assessment measures, and strategically aligned teaching methodologies.
The strong and engaged participation of the College of Law faculty throughout the four-day seminar showed their commitment to continuous professional growth, curriculum refinement, and student-centered instruction. Their active involvement reflected the College’s collective drive to elevate academic standards and strengthen the quality of legal education.
Through the Capacity Building Seminar–Writeshop, the University of Northern Philippines College of Law reaffirmed its mission to cultivate competent, ethical, and practice-ready lawyers—professionals equipped to navigate the evolving demands of the legal field and uphold the highest standards of the profession.
Article by Haysheryl Salamanca.
