USC is Square Off The Firm Debates Season 14 Champion
25 August 2017, Rainmakers Lounge, V&A Law Center, Bonifacio Global City – Defending champion University of San Carlos (“USC”) once again bagged the trophy at the finals round of ANC’s Square Off The Firm Debates Season 14. USC won against the University of the Philippines on a split decision on the proposition, “LIBRT: The admission of a public official that he has received referral fees from a private law firm can be used in cases filed against him and the private parties involved.” Harold Ondangan of USC was voted Best Speaker. The finals round was adjudicated by Atty. Joseph Anthony P. Lopez, Atty. Ruth Nicole R. Ureta, Atty. Maria Concepcion P. Simundac, Universidad de Manila President Atty. Ernesto Maceda Jr. and Retired Justice Rodrigo Cosico Jr.
Square Off: The Firm Debates airs on ANC every Sundays at 6:00-7:00pm with replays every Mondays 1:00pm, Fridays 11:30pm, Saturdays 10:00pm, and Sundays 2:00am.
10 August 2017, Quezon City – University of San Carlos and St. Louis University battled it out at V&A Law Square Off: The Firm Debates. This week’s topic focused on whether there is probable cause to hold former President Benigno Aquino III liable for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries for his acts involving Oplan Exodus. University of San Carlos argued that former President Aquino was guilty of inexcusable lack of precaution when he led Oplan Exodus which took the lives of 44 SAF personnel, while St. Louis University took on the negative side. After an explosive exchange of argumentation, University of San Carlos won the match and Best Speaker. Square Off: The Firm Debates airs on ANC every Sundays at 6:00-7:00pm with replays at Mondays 1:00pm, Fridays 11:30pm, Saturdays 10:00pm, and Sundays 2:00am.
03 August 2017, Quezon City – University of the Philippines and Wild Card-pick San Beda College battled it out at V&A Law Square Off: The Firm Debates. This week’s topic was on the reinstatement in office of the 19 PNP officials involved in the death of Mayor Espinosa. University of the Philippines argued that the policemen should not be reinstated pending the conclusion of the criminal cases, while San Beda College argued otherwise. After an intense word war, University of the Philippines won the match and Best Speaker. Square Off: The Firm Debates airs on ANC every Sundays at 6:00-7:00pm with replays at Mondays 1:00pm, Fridays 11:30pm, Saturdays 10:00pm, and Sundays 2:00am.
30 July 2017, Quezon City – University of Batangas and University of St. La Salle competed against each other at V&A Law Square Off: The Firm Debates. The topic is very timely as it involves the regulatory issues faced by transport network companies, such as Grab and Uber. University of Batangas argued that LTFRB should set aside the directive it issued instructing transport network companies to pull out drivers without permits or franchises, while University of St. La Salle took on the negative side. University of St. La Salle won the match and Best Speaker. Square Off: The Firm Debates airs on ANC every Sundays at 6:00-7:00 p.m. with replays at Mondays 1:00 p.m., Fridays 11:30 p.m., Saturdays 10:00 p.m., and Sundays 2:00 a.m.
23 July 2017, Quezon City – Univeristy of San Carlos is advancing to the semi-final rounds of V&A Law Square Off: The Firm Debates. This week’s proposition is the legality of former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez’s controversial absolute ban on open pit mining where University of San Tomas took on the affirmative side while University of San Carlos took on the negative side. After strongly advocating their respective cases, it was the University of San Carlos that ultimately prevailed with its 2nd speaker, Ralph Gonzales, being awarded as Best Speaker. Square Off: The Firm Debates airs on ANC every Sundays at 6:00-7:00pm with replays at Mondays 1:00pm, Fridays 11:30pm, Saturdays 10:00pm, and Sundays 2:00am.
O9 July 2017, Quezon City – San Beda College and Bulacan State University battled it out at V&A Law Square Off: The Firm Debates. This week’s topic was inspired by the current news on the Ilocos 6. San Beda College argued that Congress should have the power to indefinitely detain private individuals held in contempt in connection with the conduct of inquiries in aid of legislation, while Bulacan State University took on the negative side. After an intense word war, San Beda College won the match and Best Speaker. Square Off: The Firm Debates airs on ANC every Sundays at 6:00-7:00pm with replays at Mondays 1:00pm, Fridays 11:30pm, Saturdays 10:00pm, and Sundays 2:00am.
21 May 2017, Quezon City – University of San Carlos and Polytechnic University of the Philippines went head to head in this week’s episode of V&A Law Square Off: The Firm Debates. This week’s proposition was contractual employment is legal and beneficial for the Philippines where University of San Carlos argued for the affirmative side, while Polytechnic University of the Philippines took on the negative side. After fervently advocating their respective cases, University of San Carlos ultimately prevailed. Its 3rd speaker, Mr. Harold Ondangan was also awarded Best Speaker. Square Off: The Firm Debates airs on ANC every Sundays at 6:00-7:00pm with replays at Mondays 1:00pm, Fridays 11:30pm, Saturdays 10:00pm, and Sundays 2:00am.
