# Aquila Legis

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Aquila_Legis
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Aquila_Legis.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquila_Legis
> Source revision: 1353906288
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|Philippine organization}}
{{Infobox Fraternity
| name = Aquila Legis
| letters = {{lang|grc|Α}}LF
| crest = AquilaLegisFrat2.jpg
| image_size = 150px
| founded = {{start date and age|1949}}
| birthplace = [Ateneo Law School](/source/Ateneo_Law_School)
| affiliation = Independent
| motto = {{lang|la|Fidelitas ex Lege}}
| colors = {{color box|#333399}} [Blue](/source/Shades_of_blue)
| symbol = Eagle
| status = Active
| type = Professional-PH
| emphasis = Law
| scope = Local
| chapters = 1
| lifetime = 2,000+
| address = Ateneo de Manila University School of Law,
| city = [Makati City](/source/Makati_City)
| postal code = 1108,
| country = Philippines
| website = {{URL|http://www.aquilalegis.org/}}
}}

The '''Aquila Legis Fraternity''' ('''{{lang|grc|Α}}LF''') is a Philippine [fraternity](/source/fraternity) that originated in [Ateneo de Manila University School of Law](/source/Ateneo_de_Manila_University) in the [Philippines](/source/Philippines). As of 2024, it has inducted more than 2,000 members.

== History ==

Aquila Legis Fraternity was founded as '''{{Lang|la|Fraternitas Aquilae Legis}}''' in 1949  by Joaquin Lorenzo E. Misa, the first bossman or ''most honorable praeses'' at the [Ateneo de Manila University School of Law](/source/Ateneo_de_Manila_University).<ref name="NogralesCoup" /><ref name="alumnusrey"/><ref name=":2" /> He was joined by 21 second and third-year students of the School of Law, who addressed their seniors in meetings stating, "Boss, with all due respect."<ref name=alumnusrey>{{Cite web|last=Panaligan|first=Rey|title=AdeMU’s Aquila Legis Fraternity celebrates 75th anniversary June 29|url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/25/ade-mu-s-aquila-legis-fraternity-celebrates-75th-anniversary-june-29|date=2024-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=With Fond Memories|url=https://www.aquilalegis.org/obituary-precy-perlas-56}}</ref><ref name="NogralesCoup">{{Cite web |last=Jimenez |first=Fidel |date=5 February 2008 |title=Aquila Legis brods behind Nograles' coup? |url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/79399/Aquila-Legis-brods-behind-Nograles-coup |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=GMA News Online}}</ref> Aquila Legis was created as a professional fraternity for Catholic law students and lawyers from the private Catholic university.

As of 2024, the fraternity has inducted over 2,000 members.<ref name=":2" />

==Symbols==
The fraternity's Latin name, Aquila Legis, translates as "eagle of the law," or "legal eagle."<ref name="NogralesCoup" /> Its motto is ''{{lang|la|Fidelitas ex Lege}}''.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}} The fraternity's symbol is the eagle.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}} Its color is blue.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

==Notable members==
* [Jun Abaya](/source/Jun_Abaya) – [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines) and [Secretary of Transportation (Philippines)](/source/Secretary_of_Transportation_(Philippines))<ref name=":1" />
* [Sergio Apostol](/source/Sergio_Apostol) – [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Aquilan Bar Topnotchers |url=https://www.aquilalegis.org/aquilan-bar-topnotchers |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=Aquila Legis Fraternity |language=en}}</ref>
* [Loreto Acharon](/source/Loreto_Acharon) – [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Panaligan |first=Rey G. |date=June 26, 2024 |title=AdeMU’s Aquila Legis Fraternity celebrates 75th anniversary June 29 |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/26/ade-mu-s-aquila-legis-fraternity-celebrates-75th-anniversary-june-29 |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}}</ref>
* [Silvestre Bello III](/source/Silvestre_Bello_III), [Secretary of Labor and Employment](/source/Secretary_of_Labor_and_Employment_(Philippines)) and [Solicitor General of the Philippines](/source/Solicitor_General_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":1" />
* [Ignacio Bunye](/source/Ignacio_Bunye) – [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines) and [Executive Secretary (Philippines)](/source/Executive_Secretary_(Philippines))<ref name=":1" />
* [Jose Calida](/source/Jose_Calida) –   [Solicitor General of the Philippines](/source/Solicitor_General_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":1" />
* [Mariano del Castillo](/source/Mariano_del_Castillo) – Associate Justice of the [Supreme Court of the Philippines](/source/Supreme_Court_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":1" />
* [Leo Medialdea](/source/Leo_Medialdea) – Associate Justice of the [Supreme Court of the Philippines](/source/Supreme_Court_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":1" />
* [Antonio Cerilles](/source/Antonio_Cerilles) –[Governor of Zamboanga del Sur](/source/Governor_of_Zamboanga_del_Sur), [Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources](/source/Secretary_of_Environment_and_Natural_Resources), and [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name="NogralesCoup" />
* [Victor G. Garcia III](/source/Victor_G._Garcia_III) – [Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary](/source/Ambassador_Extraordinary_and_Plenipotentiary) to the [Russian Federation](/source/Russian_Federation)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002 |title=Curriculum Vitae of His Excellency Mr. Victor G. Garcia III, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Philippines |url=http://costis.g77.org/vienna/CVVGGARCIAIII.htm |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=G-77 - Vienna Chapter}}</ref>
* [Raul Goco](/source/Raul_Goco) – [Solicitor General of the Philippines](/source/Solicitor_General_of_the_Philippines) and Philippine Ambassador to [Canada](/source/Canada)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bueza |first=Michael |date=2014-08-16 |title=Ex-SolGen, ambassador Raul Goco dies at 84 |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/66430-ex-solgen-ambassador-raul-goco-dies/ |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [Neptali Gonzales II](/source/Neptali_Gonzales_II) – [Philippine House of Representatives](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name="NogralesCoup" /><ref name=":2" />
* [Teofisto Guingona Jr.](/source/Teofisto_Guingona_Jr.) (1950) – [Vice President of the Philippines](/source/Vice_President_of_the_Philippines), [Secretary of Foreign Affairs](/source/Secretary_of_Foreign_Affairs_(Philippines)), and [President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines](/source/President_pro_tempore_of_the_Senate_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":1" />
* [Rodge Gutierrez](/source/Rodge_Gutierrez) – [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":2" />
* [Adam Jala](/source/Adam_Jala) – [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name="NogralesCoup" />
* [Bienvenido Laguesma](/source/Bienvenido_Laguesma) – Secretary of the [Department of Labor and Employment](/source/Department_of_Labor_and_Employment)<ref name=":2" />
* [Ernesto Maceda](/source/Ernesto_Maceda) – [President of the Senate of the Philippines](/source/President_of_the_Senate_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":1" />
* [Raul del Mar](/source/Raul_del_Mar) – [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name="NogralesCoup" />
* [Bem Noel](/source/Bem_Noel) – [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name="NogralesCoup" /><ref name=":2" />
* [Karlo Nograles](/source/Karlo_Nograles) – Chairperson of the [Civil Service Commission](/source/Civil_Service_Commission_(Philippines)) and [Cabinet Secretary](/source/Cabinet_Secretary_(Philippines))<ref name=":2" />
* [Prospero Nograles](/source/Prospero_Nograles) (1968) – [Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/Speaker_of_the_House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Registered Aquilans |url=https://www.aquilalegis.org/registered-aquilans |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=Aquila Legis Fraternity}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Oiga |first=Jacky Lynne |last2=Ong |first2=Czarina Nichole |last3=Lee |first3=Glaiza |date=April 12, 2009 |title=The House Of The Speaker |url=http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb006209.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006222801/http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb006209.htm |archivedate=2011-10-06 |accessdate=2010-07-27 |website=Philippine Headline News Online}}</ref>
* [Dong Puno](/source/Dong_Puno) – [Press Secretary](/source/Presidential_Communications_Group_(Philippines)) and television public affairs host<ref name=":1" />
* [Gabriel Singson](/source/Gabriel_Singson) – Governor of the [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas](/source/Bangko_Sentral_ng_Pilipinas)<ref name=":1" />
* [Ricardo Rosario](/source/Ricardo_Rosario) – Associate Justice of the [Supreme Court of the Philippines](/source/Supreme_Court_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":2" />
* [Dino Tanjuatco](/source/Dino_Tanjuatco) – [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":2" />
* [Jericho Nograles](/source/Jericho_Nograles) – [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":2" />
* [Francis Tolentino](/source/Francis_Tolentino) (1988) – [Senate of the Philippines](/source/Senate_of_the_Philippines)<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />
* [Felixberto S. Urbiztondo](/source/Felixberto_S._Urbiztondo) – Mayor of [Barobo](/source/Barobo){{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
* [Meynardo Sabili](/source/Meynardo_Sabili) – Mayor of [Lipa](/source/Lipa%2C_Batangas){{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
* [Felipe Remollo](/source/Felipe_Remollo) – Mayor of [Dumaguete](/source/Dumaguete){{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
* [Antonio T. Vilar](/source/Antonio_T._Vilar) – National Treasurer [Lakas–NUCD](/source/Lakas%E2%80%93CMD_(1991)){{Citation needed|date=January 2026}}

== Controversies ==

=== Hazing death ===
On February 8, 9, and 10, 1991, Aquila Legis senior members conducted [initiation rites](/source/Rite_of_passage) for neophytes interested in joining the fraternity's ranks. The codename of the rites included the ''picnic'' or ''nic'', ''golf'', and other aliases to maintain secrecy; such [hazing](/source/hazing) on one of the neophytes, Leonardo "Lenny" Villa, led to his death from serious physical injuries at the [Chinese General Hospital](/source/Chinese_General_Hospital) on February 10, 1991.<ref name="lawphil.net">{{Cite web |last=Republic of the Philippines Supreme Court Manila |date=May 27, 1993 |title=G.R. No. 99327 |url=http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1993/may1993/gr_99327_1993.html |access-date=April 25, 2025 |website=The LAWPhil Project}}</ref>

In the wake of Villa's death, charges were filed against 26 members of the fraternity. The [Regional Trial Court](/source/Regional_Trial_Court) of [Caloocan](/source/Caloocan) found the defendants guilty of the crime charged.<ref name="Charges">{{cite web |last=Mallari Jr. |first=Delfin |date=September 2, 2007 |title=Déjà vu for Lenny Villa's |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20070902-86086/D%E9j%E0_vu_for_Lenny_Villa%92s_ma |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221205103/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20070902-86086/D%E9j%E0_vu_for_Lenny_Villa%92s_ma |archive-date=2013-02-21 |accessdate=2010-09-08 |website=INQUIRER.net}}</ref> The [Court of Appeals](/source/Court_of_Appeals_of_the_Philippines) however, overturned the findings of the trial court and acquitted 19 of the 26 defendants. The conviction of two lower ranked Aquila Legis fraternity members, Fidelito Dizon, and Artemio Villareal, was upheld, while the sentences for four other fraternity members were downgraded from homicide to slight physical injuries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2017 |title=Fratmen in Lenny Villa hazing get slap on wrist |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/10/08/1746898/fratmen-lenny-villa-hazing-get-slap-wrist |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> The [Supreme Court](/source/Supreme_Court_of_the_Philippines) later elevated the charges for the four to reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, downgrading Dizon's charges to the same. Villareal died in 2011 while awaiting appeal.<ref name="Appeal">{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Purple S. |date=20 February 2012 |title=SC punishes 5 frat members for Lenny Villa's death |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/1658-sc-punishes-5-frat-members-for-lenny-villa-s-death/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=Philippine News}}</ref>

As a result of the controversy surrounding the death of Lenny Villa, Republic Act No. 8049 (more popularly known as the "Anti-Hazing Law") was passed into law in 1995. Up to today, the Lenny Villa case is considered the first case that depicted the fraternity violence that occurs during initiation rites.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 7, 1995 |title=Republic Act No. 8049 |url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_09/RA08049.pdf |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008181032/http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_09/RA08049.pdf |archivedate=2012-10-08 |accessdate=2012-11-30 |website=Republic of the Philippines Cogress of the Philippines}}</ref>

The controversy in the Villa Hazing continued years after, when it was reported that the cases against those charged for Villa's death were intentionally delayed through the interference and influence of several high-ranking Aquila Legis members such as former Solicitor General [Raul Goco](/source/Raul_Goco) and former [Court of Appeals](/source/Court_of_Appeals) Justice Jose Sabio.<ref>{{cite web |last=Benigno |first=Teodoro C. |date=January 14, 2002 |title=CA and Aquila Legis/ GMA ratings down |url=https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2002/01/14/147000/ca-and-aquila-legis-gma-ratings-down |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=[The Philippine STAR](/source/The_Philippine_STAR)}}</ref>

<big>'''Impeachment of Renato Corona'''</big>

During the [impeachment of Renato Corona](/source/impeachment_of_Renato_Corona), former Supreme Court Chief Justice, Aquila Legis members holding key positions in the House of Representatives were said to be behind the fast-tracking of the hearing of the impeachment complaint against the former Chief Justice, to shelve the impeachment complaint which was likewise concurrently pending against then Supreme Court Associate Justice [Mariano del Castillo](/source/Mariano_del_Castillo) who is an Aquilan himself, all to protect their fellow Aquilan.<ref>{{cite web |last=Porcalla |first=Delon |date=January 30, 2012 |title=Law frats also in spotlight at CJ trial |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/01/30/772271/law-frats-also-spotlight-cj-trial |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=[The Philippine STAR](/source/The_Philippine_STAR)}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [List of fraternities and sororities in the Philippines](/source/List_of_fraternities_and_sororities_in_the_Philippines)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.aquilalegis.org/|Aquila Legis Fraternity Website}}

Category:Legal fraternities and sororities in the Philippines
Category:Student organizations established in 1949
Category:1949 establishments in the Philippines

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Aquila Legis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquila_Legis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquila_Legis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.