29 Juris Doctor Graduates Honored by UM College of Law During Recognition Rites

Twenty-nine Juris Doctor graduates, composed of 12 males and 17 females, march into the UM DPT Auditorium on June 27, 2025, as they take part in the University of Mindanao’s College of Law Recognition and Conferment Day, themed "Igniting change, shaping justice," marking the culmination of their years of academic dedication and legal training.

Guests attended the ceremony including Dr. Guillermo P. Torres Jr., UM President; Dean Atty. Antonio B. Arellano of the College of Law; and notable figures such as Atty. Rene Vergara Sarmiento, Former Presidential Secretary Atty. Salvador Medialdea, Atty. Edward Go, VP of HRMD Dr. Myrna S. Viado, Assistant Dean Atty. Ahmed Siddique B. Dalam, and faculty and staff from the College of Legal Education. Special recognition was also given to Atty. Joji S. Macadine, the university’s first bar topnotcher, who joined the celebration.

"This is not just a celebration, it is a declaration. You are not stepping into the world to merely succeed; you are stepping into it to ignite change and shape justice," Dean Atty. Arellano said during his opening remarks. "The world is waiting not just for your brilliance, but for your heart," he added.

Moreover, guest speaker Atty. Rene Vergara Sarmiento, one of the framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, emphasized the enduring importance of law and service. "To become better law students, better persons, and better citizens of this country, your struggle is relentless," Sarmiento said. "The study of law does not—and should not—stop."

Consequently, the awarding and recognition segment followed, as Van Jazril Frialea Dorin was named Most Outstanding Graduate and received the Dean’s Academic Award."Behind every sleepless night and hard-earned success is the unwavering love, support, and prayers of those who stood by us—our families, friends, and mentors,"  Dorin expressed, reflecting on the personal challenges he overcame.

In closing address, Dr. Guillermo P. Torres Jr. congratulated the graduates and encouraged them as they prepare for the Bar Exam.

"Where others retreat from difficult cases, from unpopular truths, and forgotten struggles—may you stay, and may you stand," Torres highlighted, urging the graduates to carry the name of the university with honor in every mission they undertake.