NDU College of Law - Debate and International Law Society

01/04/2026

Finally, our journal has found its home.

You can now access Notre Dame Letters and Law (NDLL) Journal through the official website of Notre Dame University. Explore the journal here:
https://www.ndu.edu.ph/services/notre-dame-letters-law-journal/

Prefer turning pages? The journal is also now available in printed copies. You may view them at the College of Law and in the university libraries.

A meaningful step forward in strengthening our culture of legal scholarship! ⚖️

Alhamdulillah. We celebrate today a small but meaningful beginning.

The first-ever issue of the Notre Dame Letters and Law (NDLL) Journal is now officially released. You may read the publication through the link below or by scanning the QR Code provided. Printed copies will also be made available at the Notre Dame University—College of Law, as well as in the University’s Law Library and Main Library, should you wish to browse its pages. The journal will also soon be permanently available online on the University website.

The Notre Dame Letters and Law (NDLL) Journal is the first and official academic journal of Notre Dame University—College of Law, and aspires to be among the first journals in the region to intentionally bring together law and literature in one publication. As a student-run publication, the journal is dedicated to fostering meaningful research and writing, embracing the idea that literature and law together provide a rich framework for exploring legal ideas, institutions, and human experiences. Guided by the core values of Faith, Integrity, Respect, Excellence, and Service (FIRES), it contributes to the advancement of knowledge within the academic community while supporting social transformation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

This first issue would not have been possible without the generous contributions of our authors, whose works helped give life to this initial volume.

The legal articles explore a range of contemporary legal issues. In “Autonomy through Legislation: The Evolution of Regional Lawmaking from ARMM to BARMM,” Abdul Wahid I. Tocalo and Benyamen S. H. Salic examine the transformation of regional autonomy in the Bangsamoro by analyzing the legislative evolution from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The article demonstrates how the development of regional lawmaking reflects the maturation of Bangsamoro autonomy.

In “Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Justice System: A Contemporary Approach to Mitigate Jail Congestion,” Michelle A. Mori, Claudine Chelle F. Daquil, and Bradziz M. Suenan explore the potential of integrating artificial intelligence into the Philippine criminal justice system as a means of addressing the persistent problem of jail congestion. The article highlights how technological innovation may help streamline judicial processes and improve the administration of justice.

In “Examining US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty Gaps amid Rising Tensions,” Wilfredo C. Juntilla, Jr. analyzes the legal and strategic limitations of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States. The study examines how evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region raise important questions about the scope and effectiveness of the treaty’s security commitments.

In “The 1878 Lease Revisited: Legal Gaps and Historical Sovereignty over Sabah,” Sittie Nurjannah S. Datuali and Datu Norhamidin D. Mamasainged revisit the historical and legal foundations of the Sabah claim, examining the legal ambiguities surrounding the 1878 agreement and its implications for contemporary debates on sovereignty.

In “Celebrating a Decade of Dialogue: The Expanding Role of UNCLOS and Contemporary Ocean Governance–Reflections from the 10th International Conference on the Law of the Sea,” Moh’d. Al-Khaleel A. Bogabong reflects on the evolving significance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its continuing relevance in shaping international maritime governance.

Complementing these scholarly works, the literature section of this journal reflects the human side of legal education and practice. This volume features five short stories:“A Beadle’s Heart” by Sahara S. Madem, “In the Margins of My Codal: What the Codal Didn't Teach Me” by Sittie Allyzah B. Amer, “No Law Student Is an Island” by Lady Annia A. Guiamalon, “Legally Blunt” by Raven, and “The Jurors I Carry” by Moh’d. Al-Khaleel A. Bogabong, each capturing reflections on law school life, personal struggles, and the broader human experiences intertwined with the study of law.

This issue also includes six poems that articulate the emotional and reflective dimensions of the legal journey: “To Be Continued...” by Bradziz M. Suenan, “What Are You Reading These Days?” by Trizza Niña C. Pilapil-Bañas, “The Case I Couldn't Win” by Sahara S. Madem, “I Thought I Wouldn't Make It” by Aminola A. Tomawis, “Echoes Beneath the Doctrines” by Sittie Allyzah B. Amer, and “Silent Battles” by Benjamin A. Abubakar.

Read the first issue here:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/NotreDameLettersandLawJournal/wkja/

28/03/2026

📣𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 — 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐬 — 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬! 🌊 ⚖

📝Apply until Sunday, 19 April 2026 at 11:59 PM (Philippine Standard Time / GMT+8). The application form can be accessed through the QR code indicated on the poster.

👩‍⚖️PHILSEA 2026, a third iteration of the flagship national programme of the Philippine International Law of the Sea Academy Inc. (PHILSEA), is an intensive four-week law of the sea training scheduled from 1 June 2026 to 27 June 2026. It comprises 44 training lectures with four workshops for law students, graduate students, college and university educators, legal educators, law practitioners, law enforcement officers, and ocean and marine professionals.

👩🏼‍🏫The training will be majorly held online via Zoom, with the last three days (25-27 June 2026) to be held in-person at De La Salle University Tañada-Diokno School of Law (DLSU TDSOL) in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines.

📖For more information about PHILSEA 2026, see our application primer through the QR code on the publicity material. In case you are interested and have questions, you may join us in our Online Information Session on Saturday, 28 March 2026 at 4 PM. The QR code to the registration form can also be found on the post.

27/03/2026

𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐨𝐜 𝐀𝐝𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐉𝐏𝐈𝐀 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The halls of the NDU-JHS Theatre resonated with sharp arguments and rigorous legal scrutiny today, Friday, March 27, as the NDU College of Law - Debate and International Law Society (DILSoc) took the bench for the JPIA Accountancy Days 2026 Asian Parliamentary Debate.

Invited by the Notre Dame University – Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NDU-JPIA), the Society provided a panel of adjudicators to oversee a series of high-level intellectual clashes that brought together the analytical precision of accountancy and the rhetorical depth of the law.

Leading the panel was the DILSoc President, Zhaneidra Kamlon, joined by Nurzahir Guimba and Aminola Tomawis, members from the Society. Their task was to evaluate not just the delivery of the speakers, but the logical consistency and legal grounding of the arguments presented. The collaboration highlighted a growing synergy between the College of Law and the College of Business and Accountancy, proving that critical thinking is the universal language of NDU’s academic community.

In the first clash between the Swing Team (Government) and Arimaongan (Opposition), the floor was set for a heated debate on the motion: "This House Would Abolish Political Dynasties in the Philippines." The adjudicators weighed the tension between democratic choice and systemic reform in a round that tested the debaters' understanding of constitutional principles.

The second round saw Minokawa (Government) face off against Bakunawa (Opposition) regarding the motion: "This House Believes That the Philippines Should Shift to a Federal Form of Government." Debaters navigated the complexities of regional autonomy, fiscal decentralization, and national identity.

Adjudicating the Asian Parliamentary format required the DILSoc panel to meticulously track "clash points" and assess the burden of proof met by each side. For the members of the Society, the event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of public discourse in shaping the future of the nation.

18/03/2026

✨Cultivating the Art of Debate: Insights from Attorney Nabila E. Mohamad ✨

A successful and interactive webinar was held with Attorney Nabila E. Mohamad as our resource speaker.

She shared valuable insights and practical tips on debating, as well as strategies to overcome challenges faced during competitions. According to her, debate is truly an art and a beautiful one at that.

Our heartfelt thanks to Attorney Mohamad for inspiring us with her time and wisdom, and to the NDU law students for actively participating in this meaningful webinar.

We might have missed to include you during our screenshot taking, kindly write down your name if you have attended in this format:
First name, Middle initial, and Last name

Example: Juan A. Dela Cruz

This will allow us to give certificates to those who joined but lost internet on the last parts. Thank you.

17/03/2026

Kindly check your emails for the link. We shall start at 9:30 AM tomorrow. We’re all excited to learn from Atty. Nabila Mohamad. See you! 💜

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛

Attention, NDU Law Students! ⚖️
DILSoc is proud to present a specialized online workshop designed to sharpen your legal mind and refine your research capabilities. Whether you’re preparing for moot court or future litigation, this session offers invaluable insights into the core of legal practice.

Featured Resource Speakers:
𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒚. 𝑵𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝑬. 𝑴𝒐𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒅
𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒚. 𝑾𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒇 𝑪. 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂
(Semi-Finalists, ANC Square-Off 2019, a prestigious national legal debate)

Learn from the best as they share the strategies that took them to the national stage! 🏆

📅 Date: March 18, 2026
📍 Platform: Online (Link via registration)
🔗 How to Join: Scan the QR code below to secure your slot.

Registration is a must for purposes of certificates distribution. Deadline is on 6:00pm of March 17 (Tuesday).

🥤Quench your thirst for new knowledge by scanning the code below or by clicking this link to register: https://forms.gle/YfZxYuee7c6xuVV28

See you all! Ramadan Mubārak! 💜

15/03/2026

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛

Attention, NDU Law Students! ⚖️
DILSoc is proud to present a specialized online workshop designed to sharpen your legal mind and refine your research capabilities. Whether you’re preparing for moot court or future litigation, this session offers invaluable insights into the core of legal practice.

Featured Resource Speakers:
𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒚. 𝑵𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝑬. 𝑴𝒐𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒅
𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒚. 𝑾𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒇 𝑪. 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂
(Semi-Finalists, ANC Square-Off 2019, a prestigious national legal debate)

Learn from the best as they share the strategies that took them to the national stage! 🏆

📅 Date: March 18, 2026
📍 Platform: Online (Link via registration)
🔗 How to Join: Scan the QR code below to secure your slot.

Registration is a must for purposes of certificates distribution. Deadline is on 6:00pm of March 17 (Tuesday).

🥤Quench your thirst for new knowledge by scanning the code below or by clicking this link to register: https://forms.gle/YfZxYuee7c6xuVV28

See you all! Ramadan Mubārak! 💜

12/03/2026

Alhamdulillah. We celebrate today a small but meaningful beginning.

The first-ever issue of the Notre Dame Letters and Law (NDLL) Journal is now officially released. You may read the publication through the link below or by scanning the QR Code provided. Printed copies will also be made available at the Notre Dame University—College of Law, as well as in the University’s Law Library and Main Library, should you wish to browse its pages. The journal will also soon be permanently available online on the University website.

The Notre Dame Letters and Law (NDLL) Journal is the first and official academic journal of Notre Dame University—College of Law, and aspires to be among the first journals in the region to intentionally bring together law and literature in one publication. As a student-run publication, the journal is dedicated to fostering meaningful research and writing, embracing the idea that literature and law together provide a rich framework for exploring legal ideas, institutions, and human experiences. Guided by the core values of Faith, Integrity, Respect, Excellence, and Service (FIRES), it contributes to the advancement of knowledge within the academic community while supporting social transformation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

This first issue would not have been possible without the generous contributions of our authors, whose works helped give life to this initial volume.

The legal articles explore a range of contemporary legal issues. In “Autonomy through Legislation: The Evolution of Regional Lawmaking from ARMM to BARMM,” Abdul Wahid I. Tocalo and Benyamen S. H. Salic examine the transformation of regional autonomy in the Bangsamoro by analyzing the legislative evolution from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The article demonstrates how the development of regional lawmaking reflects the maturation of Bangsamoro autonomy.

In “Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Justice System: A Contemporary Approach to Mitigate Jail Congestion,” Michelle A. Mori, Claudine Chelle F. Daquil, and Bradziz M. Suenan explore the potential of integrating artificial intelligence into the Philippine criminal justice system as a means of addressing the persistent problem of jail congestion. The article highlights how technological innovation may help streamline judicial processes and improve the administration of justice.

In “Examining US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty Gaps amid Rising Tensions,” Wilfredo C. Juntilla, Jr. analyzes the legal and strategic limitations of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States. The study examines how evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region raise important questions about the scope and effectiveness of the treaty’s security commitments.

In “The 1878 Lease Revisited: Legal Gaps and Historical Sovereignty over Sabah,” Sittie Nurjannah S. Datuali and Datu Norhamidin D. Mamasainged revisit the historical and legal foundations of the Sabah claim, examining the legal ambiguities surrounding the 1878 agreement and its implications for contemporary debates on sovereignty.

In “Celebrating a Decade of Dialogue: The Expanding Role of UNCLOS and Contemporary Ocean Governance–Reflections from the 10th International Conference on the Law of the Sea,” Moh’d. Al-Khaleel A. Bogabong reflects on the evolving significance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its continuing relevance in shaping international maritime governance.

Complementing these scholarly works, the literature section of this journal reflects the human side of legal education and practice. This volume features five short stories:“A Beadle’s Heart” by Sahara S. Madem, “In the Margins of My Codal: What the Codal Didn't Teach Me” by Sittie Allyzah B. Amer, “No Law Student Is an Island” by Lady Annia A. Guiamalon, “Legally Blunt” by Raven, and “The Jurors I Carry” by Moh’d. Al-Khaleel A. Bogabong, each capturing reflections on law school life, personal struggles, and the broader human experiences intertwined with the study of law.

This issue also includes six poems that articulate the emotional and reflective dimensions of the legal journey: “To Be Continued...” by Bradziz M. Suenan, “What Are You Reading These Days?” by Trizza Niña C. Pilapil-Bañas, “The Case I Couldn't Win” by Sahara S. Madem, “I Thought I Wouldn't Make It” by Aminola A. Tomawis, “Echoes Beneath the Doctrines” by Sittie Allyzah B. Amer, and “Silent Battles” by Benjamin A. Abubakar.

Read the first issue here:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/NotreDameLettersandLawJournal/wkja/

22/02/2026

17/02/2026

Behind every successful event is an efficient rigourous planning. This year, we are dedicated to introduce changes that we hope could somehow make a difference.

Stay tune for our next activity! ✨

24/01/2026

As the lights of PANDORA are about to be switched off, we took a moment to pause and reflect. The normal school days will be back, we shall be met again by recitations and exams, and after a while another semester shall soon come to an end. However, the bond we have made as a family will stick with us forever. The DILSoc will remain heart strong for our future plans. This is not the end, this is only the beginning.

22/01/2026

ALL EYES ON OUR VICTORS! 🗡️✨

Here are the winners of the second match: Tayrangi (Affirmative) vs. Swing Team (Negative)

CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR CLAN IS CELEBRATING YOUR VICTORY! 💜