Manila: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the Legal Education Board (LEB) from enforcing its resolutions prohibiting the Mindanao State University (MSU) College of Law from opening its law programs in its Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Maguindanao campuses.
According to Philippines News Agency, the TRO also prevents the LEB from revoking the accreditation of the MSU College of Law and ordering its closure effective Academic Year 2025-2026. This order was announced in a press briefer released by the SC on Tuesday.
The TRO was issued in response to separate petitions for certiorari filed by the MSU and Abdul Rahman Ltiph Nasser. The petitioners challenged the LEB's authority over the MSU College of Law under Republic Act 7662, also known as the Legal Education Reform Act of 1993.
The Supreme Court has mandated both the LEB and the MSU to submit their respective memoranda of authorities. These memoranda must address the impact of Article IX, Sec. 16 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law on the jurisdiction of the LEB over the MSU. The submissions are required within a non-extendible period of 15 days from the date of notice.
