MANILA, Philippines – On Dec. 10 Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University launched Wednesday a legal education and research center named after Fr. Joaquin Bernas SJ, dean emeritus of the Ateneo Law School (ALS) in Makati City. Bernas was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission that drafted the present Philippine Constitution.

The Center will be a special unit of the Ateneo’s law school and will provide a venue for continuing legal education programs by holding legal education series, undertaking legal researches, and producing legal publication on current, relevant and important legal issues.

Bernas served as Dean of Ateneo Law School, President of Ateneo de Manila University from 1984 to 1993, a Member of the Constitutional Commission formed by then President Corazon Aquino in 1986, a Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines, and a Director of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Upon his retirement as Law Dean in 2004, Bernas was conferred the position of Dean Emeritus at Ateneo School of Law. He continues to teach Constitutional Law and Public International Law to law freshmen and sophomores. He enjoys high credibility as an unbiased and independent legal expert and is a frequent resource speaker in legal conferences and workshops.

He has authored several law books and law articles published and widely-used by Filipino lawyers and law students. His published works are often cited in decisions penned by justices of the Philippine Supreme Court and judges of lower courts.