FLP’s 2024 law scholars, fellows, and winners

Prior to her husband becoming president, I have already heard of her vaunted competence as a practicing lawyer and law professor. I was even more impressed when she dissolved her entrenched law firm before the newly elected president assumed office. I met her formally only a year later, on June 28, 2023, during an exhibit of some reproductions of Michelangelo’s “Sistine Chapel” masterpieces, and then on Aug. 22, 2023, during the 35th anniversary of Toyota Philippines. Yet, during those two occasions, she acted so spontaneously as if we had known each other for years, conversing freely, holding on to my arm occasionally, and introducing me to her friends.

INDEED, A REAL CHARMER, FIRST LADY LOUISE ARANETA-MARCOS IS. When I invited her through our compañero Mike Toledo, chair and president of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, to grace the award ceremony of the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity (FLP) scheduled last Aug. 19, she sent me her personalized video saying that she was keenly interested but that Aug. 19 is encompassed by her “sacred” days. Instead, she requested for a resetting. Thus, we happily postponed the awards ceremony to today, Sept. 2.

The amiable First Lady will be the special guest and business leader Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP), the guest speaker, today when three groups of new awardees—20 law scholars at P200,000 each, five MBA fellows specializing in entrepreneurship, sustainability, management, economics, or business law (Esmel) at P450,000 each, and 20 dissertation writing contest winners—will receive their cash and other prizes from her, MVP, and yours truly as FLP chair.

THE LAW SCHOLARS WERE CHOSEN by a board of judges (BOJ) chaired by CJ Alexander G. Gesmundo, the Esmel fellows by our BOJ led by past Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr., now chair of the largest conglomerate in our country, SM Investments Corp., and the dissertation winners by our BOJ headed by Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier.

In partnership with the Tan Yan Kee Foundation represented by Lucio Tan III, the Stanford summa, president of PAL Holdings and LT Group, FLP will grant scholarships to 10 third-year law students Mariana Alberto (UP), Kerstein Despi (USC), Cicily Mirasol (UP), Christa Mutuc (USC), Jayson Orajay (Xavier U), Enrico Paguia (ADMU), Janelle Sy (ADMU), Ricardo Sobreviñas (ADMU), Mary Te (USC), and Chinzen Viernes (UP).

To be awarded also are 10 fourth-year law students Betlee-kyle Barraquias (ADMU), Gerifel Cerillo (ADMU), Joanna David (BulSU), Susanna Ruth Gruyal (UP), Mia Laza (SLU), Alma Patricio (UST), Aimiel Reyes (ADMU), Allan Reyes (UP), Azelea Salcedo (JRU), and Robert Sanders Jr. (UP).

In turn, in partnership with the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, FLP will award Esmel fellows Milagrosa Ballestar (AIM), Gian Lucas (AIM), Wallace Panlilio II (AIM), Ciara Tuquero (ADMU), and Ralph Villanueva (UP). Each Esmel fellowship is worth P450,000 divided into P350,000 maximum for tuition plus P100,000 stipend for books and living allowance.

The winners of the dissertation writing contest, conducted in partnership with the Ayala Corp., are Rachel Gella (USLS) first prize of P320,000 cash, and Arvin Maceda (FEU) second prize of P220,000. Three third placers of P120,000 each are Sabrina De Guia (ADMU), Clarisse Loro (USC), and Lovelyn Quebrar (UP Diliman). The five winning dissertations can be accessed at www.libpros.com.

To be given P20,000 each are these 15 finalists: Celina Abueg (ADMU), Francisco Arceo (ADMU), Raizah Bagul (ADMU), Darlene Berana (DLSL), Erika Bollozos (ADMU), Nicole Nguyen (FEU), Theressa Enriquez (USC), Erin Esdrelon (USC), Eunice Go (USC), Clarissa Gozos (ADMU), Alex Ilagan, Jr. (USC), Deanne Pangan (ADMU), Charisse Regencia (USC), Maria Sabban (FEU), and Grace Tijam (UM).

To be installed by FLP’s partners, Metrobank chair Arthur Ty and Toyota Philippines chair Alfred Ty, into the FLP Professorial Chairs program is new UP law Dean Darlene Marie Berberabe.

THE FLP’s BOARD OF TRUSTEES is composed of retired justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez (president), retired justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, former education secretary Edilberto de Jesus, Tetangco, Ms. Maria Elena P. Yaptangco, professor Maria Theresa P. Mañalac, lawyer Joel Emerson Gregorio, lawyer Arvin Paolo D. Cortez (members), and yours truly (chairperson).

In its second decade (2021 to 2031), FLP aims to set up, first, an immersive, interactive, AI-powered, and tech-driven Center for Liberty and Prosperity where, in partnership with the Supreme Court, a Museum for Liberty and Prosperity will rise. And second, FLP wants to create a multi-billion-peso Prosperity Fund to help eliminate extreme poverty, to assist micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by investing in their equity and by helping them help themselves with management expertise through the Esmel fellows—thereby unleashing their entrepreneurial ingenuity.

To our knowledge, while there are firms engaged in microfinancing, FLP is the only entity aspiring to invest in and help manage MSMEs. In this way, FLP hopes they will become more credit-worthy and growth-worthy.

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