Gullas Law School - International Law Students Alliance

13/12/2025

From courtrooms to classrooms across borders. Mooting brings us to new places and introduces us to people, friends, and colleagues who share a passion for Public International Law. We were honored to welcome Ibrahim Asadullah of Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada a fellow alumnus of the 2024 IBA–ICC Moot Court Competition, to the University of the Visayas. He shared valuable insights on his ICC Moot experience and highlighted the enduring relevance of Public International Law, while bonding with members of GLS–ILSA and inspiring the next generation of ICC mooters. Truly, mooting knows no borders.

03/10/2025

GLS sister organizations are coming together to organize relief operations for the recent earthquake victims. Let’s extend our support and help those in need.

We are knocking on hearts to gather essential supplies for those affected:

✅ Ready-to-eat food
✅ Rice
✅ Bottled water
✅ Toiletries & hygiene kits
✅ Bed mattresses
✅ Tents
✅ Medicines

📍 For donations and drop-off details, kindly reach out to FVB Enterprises, V. Rama
thru sir Jeff at (0995) 290 2047.

Together, let’s show that and that helping each other is our greatest strength. 💪✨

23/09/2025

“The true mark of learning is not how much we know, but how much we pass on.”

This past week has been nothing short of fulfilling for the Alliance as our members and alumni actively took part in shaping and inspiring the next generation of thinkers, debaters, and legal minds.

ILSA former President, Rainiel Llauderes and current members John Niel Tigoy and Rodel Necesario lent their knowledge and experience as panelists and adjudicators at the “District of Discourse: The Capitol Debate Cup”, hosted by the USC-JPIA Debate Society. Their involvement is a testament to ILSA’s commitment to nurturing excellence in discourse and critical thinking.

Meanwhile, ILSA alumna Dorothy Therese Ortega and former ILSA President Adrian dela Victoria gave a talk to the freshmen of Gullas Law School in their Philosophy of Law class under Atty. Pinky dela Peña, offering invaluable tips on surviving law school, mastering recitations, and tackling exams with confidence and strategy.

These efforts are at the heart of ILSA’s mission — to pass on the discipline, passion, and insight cultivated through advocacy and legal training. Here's to lighting the path for those who follow.

23/09/2025

23/09/2025

19/09/2025

Who says PIL nerds are a boring bunch? 😉💙🌍

The Alliance kicked off the academic year with a karaoke night full of singing, laughs, and a little bit of planning for what’s ahead.

It’s just the beginning of the school year but already the team had so much to celebrate:

📚the recent release of our Political Law and Public International Law Bar Review Notes under the leadership of our Minister for Academics, Joshua Tambor and ILSA President, Cherry Velasco;
🏆 the thesis and research accomplishments of our Secretary-General John Niel Tigoy
⚖️ and our member-barristers—Dorothy Therese Ortega, Kyle Lizarondo, Rainiel Llauderes, and Adria dela Victoria—for their brave Bar finish!

Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without our awesome advisers Atty. Yaki and Atty. Eunice who joined the fun.

Here’s to more milestones, more memories, and yes—more karaoke nights! 🎶✨

14/09/2025

Congratulations Batch Fortis! — The entire GLS community, faculty, and students saw Batch Fortis through to the last and final stretch of the 2025 Bar Examinations. And of course our ILSA alumni barristers—Kyle, Doty, Rain, and Ads—once again proved their prima facie case of resilience and excellence! At the Bar Salubong 2025, current ILSA members greeted them at the finish line. Congratulations, Future Pañeros and Pañeras! ILSA and the entire GLS community is proud of you!🥳⚖️ ”

07/09/2025

FORTIS: the Latin word for ‘strong,’ embodies the enduring strength, courage, and resilience that define every GLS Barrister’s journey to the Bar.

With heads held high, their spirits unbreakable, and hearts full of purpose, they march forward as they carry not only their dreams but the hopes of the entire University of the Visayas: Gullas Law School.

This is more than an examination; it is the culmination of years of sacrifice, perseverance, sweat, tears, and unwavering courage. With hearts fortified and spirits unbreakable, Batch FORTIS is ready to conquer the challenge ahead.

KUMBATI! 💚🤍⚖

03/09/2025

From the ILSA team to the newly minted lawyers of Gullas Law School—Congratulations! We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with you at the Monochrome Gala Acquaintance Party.

28/08/2025

⚖️ Congratulations, Nuremberg Moot Court Team!

We proudly celebrate our Nuremberg Moot Court Team for receiving their Certificates of Recognition from the International Nuremberg Principles Academy in Nuremberg, Germany and the International Criminal Law Research Unit (ICLU) at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) in Erlangen, Germany, for their competent participation in the Written Phase of the 2025 International Nuremberg Moot Court Competition.

Representing our University in this prestigious competition are: Fergus Johann Senaca (3rd yr) and Christine Ann Origenes (2nd year) arguing for the Prosecution; and Neil Tagarao (3rd yr) and Kyle Marie Inzo (2nd year) for the Defense. They were ably assisted by our equally adept team of researchers and of counsels, Merit Adrian dela Victoria (4th yr), Cherry Velasco (3rd yr) and John Niel Tigoy (2nd year).

Under the dedicated mentorship of Atty. Eunice S. Baliong, the team grappled with complex procedural issues of in absentia proceedings, complementarity challenges before the International Criminal Court and the substantive challenges of prosecuting incitement to genocide under the Rome Statute.

As first-time participants in the moot—the team’s impressive foray into the International Nuremberg Moot Court Competition not only showcased their skill and passion, but also deepened their commitment to advancing international criminal law and human rights advocacy.

We celebrate this milestone with you and look forward to greater victories ahead!

17/08/2025

The GLS-ILSA community proudly celebrates John Niel Tigoy for successfully presenting his research proposal at the 1st Research Conference on International Humanitarian Law held last August 15, 2025, at the Commission on Human Rights, Quezon City. With the timely theme, “Human Rights and the Security Sector in the Dynamic 21st Century,” the conference coincided with the 76th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions—a cornerstone of International Humanitarian Law.

John Niel’s paper, “Beyond Code and Collateral: A Heideggerian Assessment of Just War and Human Responsibility in the Age of AI,” offers a critical philosophical lens on the use of AI-powered weapons in modern warfare. His work challenges the grey areas in current practices that risk clashing with IHL principles like necessity and distinction, and boldly calls for the preservation of human dignity amid evolving forms of conflict.

As the only law student from the Visayas region to participate in this inaugural conference, and one of ILSA’s most celebrated researchers—having served as table counsel and memorial writer in two prestigious international moots—John Niel once again proves to be a true disciple of international law.

We salute you, John Niel, for raising the banner of ILSA and championing international humanitarian values in an era that needs them more than ever. Your work is a powerful testament to our commitment to advancing international legal awareness in the Visayas and beyond. 🌍⚖️

25/07/2025

The Alliance proudly celebrates our Secretary-General, John Niel Tigoy, for being selected as one of the presenters at the 1st National Research Conference on International Humanitarian Law! Mr. Tigoy's thesis was selected after a rigorous selection process highlighting his commitment and dedication to legal scholarship. He brings with him a solid foundation in international humanitarian law, having served as a researcher in two prestigious international moot court competitions: the 2024 IBA-ICC Moot Court Competition and the 2025 Nuremberg Moot Court Competition.

Hosted by the Human Rights Policy Centers Office and the CHR’s Human Rights Promotion Office, this landmark event brings together top legal minds to tackle human rights and security in the ever-evolving 21st century. Mr. Tigoy's thesis proposal abstract, "Beyond Code and Collateral: A Heideggerian Assessment of Just War and Human Responsibility in the Age of AI" explores Martin Heidegger’s perspective of technology, particularly in the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern warfare. As AI has rapidly transformed the global landscape, it introduces new capabilities, challenges, and ethical dilemmas. His paper critically examines whether the use of AI in warfare enhances or diminishes the essence of human existence, drawing on Heidegger’s theories to assess the impact of AI on the legalities, ethics, and human rights considerations of just war.

The research conference aims to bring together excellent scholarship on armed conflicts particularly in the contexts of climate change, pandemics, and digital technology.

Congratulations Niel! Keep raising the bar!