San Beda Law captures 3rd Cordillera Law Debate Cup title as future lawyers tackle pressing issues

BAGUIO CITY — The 3rd Cordillera Law Debate Cup concluded on July 25 at Saint Louis University (SLU) in Baguio City, with San Beda University emerging as champion after outperforming 14 other law schools from across the country.

The competition was organized by the Saint Louis University Law Debate and Mooting Society. Preliminary rounds were conducted online from July 18 to 19, before the top-performing teams advanced to the face-to-face grand finals in Baguio City.

Participating schools included Ateneo de Manila University, Arellano University, Bulacan State University, De La Salle Lipa, Philippine Law School, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Saint Louis University, San Beda University, San Beda College Alabang, University of Caloocan City, University of the Cordilleras, University of Makati, University of Mindanao, and University of Nueva Caceres.

San Beda University claimed the championship, while the University of Makati finished as first runner-up.

Individual honors were also awarded, with Rance Peralta of Arellano University named Overall Best Speaker and Matthew Mercado of Ateneo Law School recognized as Best Adjudicator.

More than a debate competition

In an interview with Guru Press, Deputy Tournament Director Meha Shane Damiyay said the Cordillera Law Debate Cup began as the Saririt iti Kordi Law Debate Cup, an initiative of the SLU School of Law Debate and Mooting Society aimed at introducing law students to legal issues affecting Indigenous Peoples in the Cordillera.

As the competition grew, it expanded its scope to include broader legal and social issues while maintaining its focus on the unique concerns of the region.

Today, it stands as the only law debate tournament in Northern Luzon, bringing together law students from different parts of the country to exchange ideas and perspectives on issues that shape Philippine society.

"Cordillera Debate Cup is originally named as Saririt Iti Kordi Law Debate Cup. It primarily sought to introduce various law students to Indigenous Peoples' rights and pressing concerns involving indigenous communities through legal discourse. We then moved forward and shifted to the Cordillera Law Debate Cup. Our topics now include not only IP rights but also human rights as a whole. Being the only law debate cup in the North, we aim not only to present these legal matters to law students nationwide but also to give them an insight into what the Cordillera looks like—its tourism, culture, and traditions," Damiyay said.

Training tomorrow's advocates

Damiyay explained that the competition follows the Oxford-Oregon debate format, where teams composed of three speakers argue either the government or opposition side before adjudicators evaluate their legal reasoning, advocacy, and presentation.

Following five preliminary rounds, teams are ranked based on their wins and speaker scores, with the top performers advancing to the championship rounds.

Beyond sharpening advocacy and public speaking skills, she emphasized that the tournament encourages future lawyers to think critically about issues that affect communities across the country, particularly Indigenous Peoples.

"The message of the Cordillera Law Debate Cup is to transcend beyond the four walls of the classroom. It is not only a battle of legal knowledge but also a platform for Indigenous Peoples and law students to let their voices be heard," she said.

As the only law debate tournament of its kind in Northern Luzon, the Cordillera Law Debate Cup continues to strengthen legal scholarship while inspiring the next generation of lawyers to become advocates for justice, inclusion, and meaningful social change.