by Kimberly Joy V. Naparan and Gabrielle L. Pangan
Succeeding the late Atty. Risel G. Castillo-Taleon, former San Beda University–College of Law (SBU-COL) Administrative Officer Atty. Francesca Lourdes M. Señga was appointed as the new Vice Dean of SBU-COL last June 7.
Vice Dean Señga shared that she was caught by surprise and had mixed emotions when she learned of her new position. She also said whatever the reason may be, she will strive hard to be worthy of the appointment.
“I felt humbled, grateful, and also nervous–I had big shoes to fill. I would continue to do my utmost in improving and bettering myself so that I may perform my duties well for the Bedan and legal community,” Atty. Señga said.
The new vice dean has been teaching at San Beda since 2011, handling Civil and Remedial Law subjects. She is also a Pre-Bar Lecturer on Remedial Law.
“I enjoy teaching all remedial law subjects. Remedial law was my favorite subject as a student. My practice in the profession also involves remedial law, as I am the Senior Partner for Litigation and Dispute Management in our Law Firm,” she added.
Atty. Señga always reminds her students to focus instead on the things that they can control.
“Work hard, pray harder, but do not neglect to take care of yourself. You cannot improve on yourself or better yourself if you neglect yourself. Believe that you can, act on this belief, and all else will follow,” she advised.
Specializing in Family Law, Sales and Lease, and Property Law, she is currently a Senior Partner and the Head of the Litigation Management and Dispute Resolution Department of ACUBELAW. She also works in civil, commercial, criminal, and administrative litigation, general and commercial arbitration, credit law, assistance in collection claims and remedial management, among others.
She graduated from SBU-COL in 2010 as Class Valedictorian and was officially admitted to the Bar in 2011. She also earned her Master of Laws from the same university in 2019.
“I don’t think I am a very talented person. I am not a genius, I did not even top the Bar. But I do know that I am a hard worker. I always have the best interests of the students at heart,” she admitted.
Moreover, marking her 10th anniversary in the legal profession, she launched the first part of her book titled “Know Your Rules series: Special Civil Actions” last June 1.
“To me, life should be lived with excellence, or at least we should strive to live the best we can. I wish to continue to improve on or at least maintain the level of excellence in the College of Law in all aspects, listening to the students in the process, and addressing these concerns in a proper and judicious manner,” she said.
Accordingly, Atty. Lyan David M. Juanico succeeded Atty. Señga as the new Administrative Officer of the College of Law.
Atty. Juanico has been a professor at the College of Law for two years. He teaches Criminal Law 1, Constitutional Law 1, Property Law, and Criminal Procedure.
Atty. Juanico graduated as the Class Valedictorian of his batch at the San Beda College of Law and placed 11th in the 2017 Bar Examinations.
THE BARRISTER 