UP Institute of Government and Law Reform

UP Institute of Government and Law Reform Institute of Government and Law Reform (IGLR)

Under the 1989 reorganization plan of the UP Law Complex, IGLR is tasked with the following functions:

a.

Discharge the function of the defunct Code Commission;
b. Undertake technical studies and research in law, particularly on projects for reforms in the judiciary, public administration, civil rights protection, international relations, and law enforcement;
c. Undertake legal studies and research, particuarly those concerned with law reform, upon request from various agencies of the government, incl

uding those from the House of Representatives and the Senate; and
d. Continue projects of popularizing the law by establishing linkages with other institutions for the teaching of elementary knowledge in law

The IGLR undertakes research in various aspects of the law as basis for law reform, contributing to legal scholarship, and renders opinions as consultant to various government agencies. Among its various activities are the: (1) POPLAW project that conducts seminar workshops for different constituencies, both in and out of government, in areas not covered by the other Institutes; and (2) preparation of handbooks and manuals under the Practical Law (PracLaw) project. It has designed short courses for law enforcement agencies such as the PNP (1998-present) and sheriffs and local government leaders as well as conducted lectures for the teaching of the Constitution among high school teachers.

𝐔𝐏 πˆπ†π‹π‘, πƒπŽπ‰, ππ€ππŽπ‹π‚πŽπŒ, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐍𝐏 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 ππ€π‘π“ππ„π‘π’π‡πˆπ π…πŽπ‘ 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐀-πƒπ‘πˆπ•π„π π‰π”π’π“πˆπ‚π„ π‘π„π…πŽπ‘πŒThe UP Institute of Government and ...
18/05/2026

𝐔𝐏 πˆπ†π‹π‘, πƒπŽπ‰, ππ€ππŽπ‹π‚πŽπŒ, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐍𝐏 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 ππ€π‘π“ππ„π‘π’π‡πˆπ π…πŽπ‘ 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐀-πƒπ‘πˆπ•π„π π‰π”π’π“πˆπ‚π„ π‘π„π…πŽπ‘πŒ

The UP Institute of Government and Law Reform (UP IGLR) met with leadership from the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Police Commission, and the Philippine National Police last 15 May 2026 at the NAPOLCOM Headquarters to discuss the expansion and mainstreaming of the Philippine Crime Index (PHILIC) and the Philippine Crime Index Research System (PCIRS) as aligned to international standards. The PHILIC aims to be a universal and accessible reference for the nomenclature, legal bases, elements, and imposable penalties of all Philippine crimes housed in the PCIRS.

This initiative marks a major step towards an interoperable system of collecting and sharing of crime data to ensure a modern and evidence-based criminal justice framework for the Philippines. The UP IGLR has been co-managing the PHILIC and PCIRS with the DOJ, ensuring that the database is current and up to date with recent legislation and jurisprudence.

𝐔𝐏 πˆπ†π‹π‘ π‰πŽπˆππ’ πŽππ†πŽπˆππ† πƒπ„π‹πˆππ„π‘π€π“πˆπŽππ’ 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 ππ‘πŽππŽπ’π„πƒ π‚π‘πˆπŒπˆππ€π‹ π‚πŽπƒπ„ πŽπ… 𝐓𝐇𝐄 ππ‡πˆπ‹πˆπππˆππ„π’In recent months, the UP IGLR has ta...
11/05/2026

𝐔𝐏 πˆπ†π‹π‘ π‰πŽπˆππ’ πŽππ†πŽπˆππ† πƒπ„π‹πˆππ„π‘π€π“πˆπŽππ’ 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 ππ‘πŽππŽπ’π„πƒ π‚π‘πˆπŒπˆππ€π‹ π‚πŽπƒπ„ πŽπ… 𝐓𝐇𝐄 ππ‡πˆπ‹πˆπππˆππ„π’

In recent months, the UP IGLR has taken part in the ongoing deliberations of the Subcommittee on Penal Laws at the House of Representatives regarding the proposed Criminal Code of the Philippines.

Representing the UP IGLR were criminal law experts Atty. Dan Calica, Atty. Linda Malenab-Hornilla, Atty. Jose Miguel Palarca, Atty. Niel Anthony Borja, Atty. Marwil Llasos, Judge Louie Sze, and Atty. Lhoverette Jeffrey Villordon, and IGLR Lawyers Atty. Marie Catherine S. Alcantara, Atty. Maria Yolanda Javellana, Atty. Marilyn L. Quizon-Mercado, and Atty. Kristine Sonon-Grospe, who shared their expertise on various criminal law issues and proposed several amendments aimed at ensuring that the provisions of the proposed Criminal Code are clear, coherent, and legally sound.

Most recently, Atty. Malenab-Hornilla, Atty. Borja, and Atty. Finessa Estigoy, attended the May 6, 2026 deliberations on the draft bill’s provisions on Rebellion, Coup d'Γ©tat, Sedition, Disloyalty, and Illegal Assemblies.

During the discussion, Atty. Borja raised several points on the need for precision and clarity. He emphasized the difficulty of treating hacking as a means of committing rebellion, noting that it may be difficult to establish that such acts satisfy the requirement of β€œtaking up arms.” Atty. Borja likewise questioned the removal of the term β€œnaval forces” in favor of the broader phrase β€œarmed forces,” and raised concerns regarding the inclusion of the phrase β€œunit of the armed forces,” noting that the term may be susceptible to varying interpretations absent a clear statutory definition.

Other amendments were proposed which were aimed at ensuring that the proposed Criminal Code strengthens the country’s criminal law framework. The participation of UP IGLR in these deliberations forms part of its continuing commitment to support law reform initiatives grounded in sound legal principles.

A recording of the subcommittee meeting may be found here: https://web.facebook.com/share/v/17XqPpknh6/ and https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CvWKfpfLD/

29/04/2026

UP Law Supports CALSADA Project
Transforming Legal Education in the Philippines

The University of the Philippines College of Law supports the implementation of the CALSADA R.S.D. Project (Capacity Building for Legal, Social, and Digital Advancement), an EU-funded initiative advancing legal graduate education through research, digitalization, and sustainable connectivity. Bringing together leading Philippine and European universities and institutions, CALSADA promotes a more innovative, research-driven, and globally connected approach to addressing long-standing structural challenges in legal education.

To mark the formal launch of the project in the Philippines, UP Law will host the CALSADA Kick-Off Meeting from June 17 to 19, 2026 in UP Diliman. The meeting will convene partner institutions to align priorities, strengthen collaboration, and lay down key strategies for implementation. It will also provide a platform to exchange ideas on teaching methodologies, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building across the project.

In February 2027, UP Law will organize a flagship five-day hybrid seminar on β€œQuality, Digitalization, and Sustainable Connectivity.” The seminar will highlight best practices in legal education from Europe and the ASEAN in legal education. It will explore forward-looking themes such as aArtificial iIntelligence in legal education, digital transformation of law schools, and innovative approaches to curriculum development and quality assurance.

Through these initiatives, UP Law affirms its commitment to shaping the future of legal education in the Philippines that is dynamic, inclusive, and responsive to the demands of a rapidly evolving, digitally connected world.

For more information about the CALSADA Project, visit: https://calsadaproject.eu/about-calsada/

𝐔𝐏 πˆπ†π‹π‘ 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 π…πˆπ‘π’π“ πˆππ“π„π‘ππ€π“πˆπŽππ€π‹ 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 π’π”ππ’πˆπƒπ„ππ‚π„ π’π˜πŒππŽπ’πˆπ”πŒ 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 ππ‡πˆπ‹πˆπππˆππ„π’The UP Law Center Institute of Governmen...
29/04/2026

𝐔𝐏 πˆπ†π‹π‘ 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 π…πˆπ‘π’π“ πˆππ“π„π‘ππ€π“πˆπŽππ€π‹ 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 π’π”ππ’πˆπƒπ„ππ‚π„ π’π˜πŒππŽπ’πˆπ”πŒ 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 ππ‡πˆπ‹πˆπππˆππ„π’

The UP Law Center Institute of Government and Law Reform participated in the First International Land Subsidence Symposium (FILSSP) held at the National Engineering Center last 23 April 2026.

The symposium convened international and local scientists to address the issue of land subsidence in the Philippines and around the world. Leading experts underscored that land subsidence, driven by excessive groundwater extraction, is a global and irreversible phenomenon with serious implications for communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

During the Fireside Chat, Atty. Mary Kristerie Baleva, faculty from the UP College of Law, shared insights on the legal and policy dimensions of land subsidence, including its intersection with climate change, environmental governance, and ecosystem protection. Alongside her, IGLR representatives Atty. Finessa Estigoy and Atty. Kristine Sonon-Grospe contributed to the development of the Action Agenda for the Philippines, providing legal and policy inputs to help guide future policy, research, and institutional efforts to effectively address land subsidence.

UP IGLR remains committed to advancing evidence-based legal and policy reforms toward sustainable resource management and climate resilience.

𝐔𝐏 πˆπ†π‹π‘ πƒπ„π‹πˆπ•π„π‘π’ 𝟏,πŸ”πŸŽπŸŽ π‚πŽππˆπ„π’ πŽπ… 𝐑.𝐀. πŸπŸπŸ—πŸ‘πŸŽ ππ‘πˆπŒπ„π‘ π“πŽ 𝐍𝐂𝐂-πŽπ’π€π„π‚-π‚π’π€π„πŒ π…πŽπ‘ πƒπˆπ’π“π‘πˆππ”π“πˆπŽπLast April 22, 2026, the Universit...
27/04/2026

𝐔𝐏 πˆπ†π‹π‘ πƒπ„π‹πˆπ•π„π‘π’ 𝟏,πŸ”πŸŽπŸŽ π‚πŽππˆπ„π’ πŽπ… 𝐑.𝐀. πŸπŸπŸ—πŸ‘πŸŽ ππ‘πˆπŒπ„π‘ π“πŽ 𝐍𝐂𝐂-πŽπ’π€π„π‚-π‚π’π€π„πŒ π…πŽπ‘ πƒπˆπ’π“π‘πˆππ”π“πˆπŽπ

Last April 22, 2026, the University of the Philippines Institute of Government and Law Reform (UP IGLR) delivered 1,600 physical copies of the primer on Republic Act (R.A.) 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act to the National Coordination Center against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM), the primary coordinating body of the Philippine Government in addressing online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

This primer was made in partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines and published last December 2024.

‼️The deadline for applications is at 5PM today‼️
27/04/2026

‼️The deadline for applications is at 5PM today‼️

[𝑽𝑨π‘ͺ𝑨𝑡π‘ͺ𝒀]

The UP Law Center Institute of Government and Law Reform is now accepting applications for the part-time position of π—₯π—˜π—¦π—˜π—”π—₯𝗖𝗛 π—”π—¦π—¦π—œπ—¦π—§π—”π—‘π—§ beginning Academic Year 2026-2027.

Please submit your letter of intent (addressed to OIC-Director Celeste Ruth Cembrano-Mallari), curriculum vitae, true copy of grades, and a copy of your Form 5 to [email protected].

The deadline for submitting applications is 27 April 2026, 5:00PM.

‼️ Only a week left to apply! ‼️
20/04/2026

‼️ Only a week left to apply! ‼️

[𝑽𝑨π‘ͺ𝑨𝑡π‘ͺ𝒀]

The UP Law Center Institute of Government and Law Reform is now accepting applications for the part-time position of π—₯π—˜π—¦π—˜π—”π—₯𝗖𝗛 π—”π—¦π—¦π—œπ—¦π—§π—”π—‘π—§ beginning Academic Year 2026-2027.

Please submit your letter of intent (addressed to OIC-Director Celeste Ruth Cembrano-Mallari), curriculum vitae, true copy of grades, and a copy of your Form 5 to [email protected].

The deadline for submitting applications is 27 April 2026, 5:00PM.

[𝑽𝑨π‘ͺ𝑨𝑡π‘ͺ𝒀]The UP Law Center Institute of Government and Law Reform is now accepting applications for the part-time positi...
06/04/2026

[𝑽𝑨π‘ͺ𝑨𝑡π‘ͺ𝒀]

The UP Law Center Institute of Government and Law Reform is now accepting applications for the part-time position of π—₯π—˜π—¦π—˜π—”π—₯𝗖𝗛 π—”π—¦π—¦π—œπ—¦π—§π—”π—‘π—§ beginning Academic Year 2026-2027.

Please submit your letter of intent (addressed to OIC-Director Celeste Ruth Cembrano-Mallari), curriculum vitae, true copy of grades, and a copy of your Form 5 to [email protected].

The deadline for submitting applications is 27 April 2026, 5:00PM.

𝐔𝐏 πˆπ†π‹π‘ ππ‘πŽπ•πˆπƒπ„π’ πˆππ’πˆπ†π‡π“π’ π‘π„π†π€π‘πƒπˆππ† π‘πˆπ†π‡π“ π“πŽ πˆππ…πŽπ‘πŒπ€π“πˆπŽπ ππˆπ‹π‹π’, πŽπ…π…π„π‘π’ π“π„π‚π‡ππˆπ‚π€π‹ π†π”πˆπƒπ€ππ‚π„ 𝐎𝐍 π…πŽπ‘π„πˆπ†π πˆππ“π„π‘π…π„π‘π„ππ‚π„ ππˆπ‹π‹π’I...
01/04/2026

𝐔𝐏 πˆπ†π‹π‘ ππ‘πŽπ•πˆπƒπ„π’ πˆππ’πˆπ†π‡π“π’ π‘π„π†π€π‘πƒπˆππ† π‘πˆπ†π‡π“ π“πŽ πˆππ…πŽπ‘πŒπ€π“πˆπŽπ ππˆπ‹π‹π’, πŽπ…π…π„π‘π’ π“π„π‚π‡ππˆπ‚π€π‹ π†π”πˆπƒπ€ππ‚π„ 𝐎𝐍 π…πŽπ‘π„πˆπ†π πˆππ“π„π‘π…π„π‘π„ππ‚π„ ππˆπ‹π‹π’

In recent weeks, lawyers from the UP IGLR participated in various meetings at the House of Representatives regarding proposed laws on Foreign Interference and the Right to Information.

The UP IGLR, through Atty. Celeste Ruth Cembrano-Mallari and Atty. Marilyn Quizon-Mercado, conveyed various insights that highlight accountability as vital to the proposed Right to Information Bills.

At the same time, representing the UP Law Center, Atty. Maria Yolanda Javellana and Atty. Neil Simon Silva provided comments and inputs to the development of legislation on Foreign Interference and Malign Influence, forwarding a balanced framework that safeguards national security while protecting fundamental freedoms.

Through expert legal analysis, they helped surface key implications for fundamental rights, continuing UP IGLR’s work of shaping law and policy through research and reform.

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Diliman

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Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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+63289205514

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