UPDS Alumni Win 1st Runner-Up in Moot Court Tourney
Jessica Hermosa | December 2006
UP Debate Society alumnae Jacquelline Espenilla and Anna Ramos, representing the UP College of Law, won 1st runner-up in the 2006 National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law last Nov. 25, 2006.
The finals round and the honor of representing the Philippines in Hongkong however, went to Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan College of Law. Ateneo de Manila and La Salle, meanwhile made it to the semi-finals.
Moot court, as defined by Wikipedia, is an 'extracurricular activity in law school where participants take part in simulated court proceedings”. For this year’s moot problem, Debsoc alumni Espenilla and Ramos had to prepare both a prosecution and a defense case for an imaginary Major General Fenduz charged with crimes against humanity and violation of the war protocol.
During their years with UPDS, Espenilla and Ramos garnered a number of debate achievements for the organization. Espenilla was an ESL semifinalist in the 25th World Debating Championships, 9th best speaker in the 11th All-Asians, and Best Adjudicator in the 3rd Inquirer Inter-collegiate Debate Championships. Ramos was a consistent breaker as a debater and adjudicator in the several National Debate Championships, and a quarterfinalist in the 1st IIDC.
