STATEMENT OF THE ATENEO LAW SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL

STATEMENT OF THE ATENEO LAW SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL
ON THE EVENTS OF 16 MAY 2008

Last 16 May 2008, a message was sent via electronic mail ("e-mail") to the mailing list of Ateneo Law Batch 2011 by a person under the assumed name of "Aquila Legis." The message consisted of remarks welcoming this year's batch of incoming Ateneo Law Freshmen, an invitation directed towards the members of the said batch to join the ranks of the Aquila Legis Fraternity, and comments about a former member of the Ateneo Law School Student Body, who likewise is a member of the Aquila Legis Fraternity. The message also carried file attachments – photographs of this member of the Aquila Legis Fraternity, taken after his tenure in the Ateneo Law School.

The tenor and palpable sarcasm of the message, considered together with the nature of the photos attached to the same, undoubtedly disclose a calculated intention on the part of its author to defame and disparage both the Aquila Legis Fraternity and one of its members who, it must be stressed, was also a former student at the Ateneo Law School. The message, furthermore, considering its tone and content, is unquestionably libelous,
involving as it does a public and malicious imputation of an act or circumstance tending to dishonor or discredit particular persons.

We, the Student Council Officers of the Ateneo de Manila Law School, CONDEMN IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS THESE LIBELOUS, DEFAMATORY, DISPARAGING AND TASTELESS REMARKS made by the author of this message, who hides in a cowardly manner behind the anonymity afforded by the Internet. This kind of conduct blatantly contradicts fundamental principles of ethics which bind not only members of the legal profession, but even students of the law who continuously hope to be among those qualified to become part of what ought to be an honorable profession. This conduct also abuses the use of the batch e-groups, which should be used for purposes of disseminating information pertaining to official or school matters.

We also IMPLORE ALL MEMBERS OF THE STUDENT BODY TO EXERCISE PRUDENCE AND SOUND JUDGMENT IN RESPONDING TO THE BEHAVIOR OF THE AUTHOR. Specifically, pointing fingers will never result in the ascertainment of the author's identity, but will instead foster an environment of hostility to the detriment of all at the end of the day.

We have likewise RESOLVED TO BRING THE MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF ATTY. SEDFREY CANDELARIA, Associate Dean for Student Affairs of the Ateneo Law School for further investigation and actions which he may deem proper and appropriate.

THIS, AND SIMILAR BEHAVIOR, HAS NO PLACE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN THIS INSTITUTION.

SIGNED:

Jess Raymund Lopez
President

Regina Ann Nonato
Internal Vice-President

Alexander Lim
External Vice-President

Virgilio Macasaet, Jr
Treasurer

Eunice Zuleika Monsod
Secretary-General

Naealla Rose Bainto
Senior Batch Representative

Jenicka Elizabeth Hosaka
Junior Batch Representative

Kazimir Kira Ang
Sophomore Batch RepresentativeSave as Draft