Table Discussion for the National Convention

“Legal Reforms to Suit the Modern Philippines”
 "The love of rationalistic simplification . . . leads people to think that in the mere technicalities of law they possess the means and the power to effect unlimited changes . . . [Such an illusion is] cherished by lawyers who imagine that, by drafting new constitutions and laws they can begin the work of history all over again, and know nothing of the force of traditions, habits, associations, and institutions.“ ~ Guido de Ruggiero, Law Reform
 Well-functioning justice systems are a key component of the Rule of Law. That is why reforms of justice systems have become an important area of development cooperation....Courts are obviously the key. Legal reforms may not mean drafting of new laws since these by itself may also be insufficient.
 It calls for Reform of the institution that create, apply and enforce the law as necessary...this equally demands commitment on the acts of the system, particularly that of the judges, lawyers as officers of the court and the law students who are expected to devote their time in learning the law and its application towards a transitioning government in this modern times...

TABLE DISCUSSION ALLOCATION
TD 1
Viewing the Criminal Justice System as a System
In Response to: Philippines: Rotten Criminal Justice System victimizes Filipinos
TD 2
Judicial Sovereignty and Propaganda Wars on SC
In Response to: Chief Justice defends decisions
TD 3
“Juridification” of ADR
In Response to: Understanding Indigenous Dispute Resolution and Western concept of ADR
TD 4:
Transnational Litigation and Domestic Law
In Response to: Never Ever Swallow Manila’s Disrespect; CA has no jurisdiction over deported Taiwanese- SolGen

TABLE DISCUSSION FORMAT
I. TOPIC
1) TD topics are adopted based on recent news/commentaries issued by the international/ national press affecting the Philippine Legal System;
2) There shall be one topic and one article assigned on each TD group;
3) A copy of said article shall be distributed among each member of the TD Group and which shall be used merely as a guide for discussions;

II. DISCUSSIONS
1) A mediator shall be assigned to facilitate exchange of ideas in rounds among speakers;
2) Each Speaker shall be given the opportunity to express his view until a unanimous resolution is adopted;
3) A “research time” not longer than 60 minutes shall be allowed to each TD group provided that majority of the speakers shall agree to said time;

III. OUTPUT
1) It shall be a formal written statement which shall address the topic assigned to each TD Group;
2) It shall be responsive to the issues as identified and posed by the topic concerning complexities, application and reforms of the Philippine legal system;
3) The output shall also be presented in the form of a creative presentation after the discussions;
4) The best output shall be chosen by a panel of judges and which shall be made to publish in the local paper of Baguio City in the form of press release upon approval and edit by the Organizing Committee of this convention and authorship shall be credited to the members of the winning TD group.