Filipino law students crowned world champion at Oxford University Moot Court

Filipino law students crowned world champion at Oxford University Moot Court

Facebook Post 
Iskolar ng Bayan
22 August 2026

WORLD CHAMPIONS! 🇵🇭⚖️

Law students from the University of San Agustin College of Law in Iloilo brought pride to the Philippines after winning the 2026 Monroe E. Price Media Law Moot Court Competition International Rounds held in Oxford, England. Oxford’s official results named the University of San Agustin, Philippines as champion, with Osgoode Hall Law School of Canada finishing as runner-up.

The international rounds were held from April 13 to 17, 2026, with the final taking place at the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, University of Oxford. A total of 85 teams competed across six regional rounds, with only 30 teams from around the world advancing to Oxford.

The winning Filipino team was composed of Marco Giorgione Dava, team captain and oralist; Gie Ann Marie Aloro, oralist; and researchers Kenverly Kirch Duran and Zynnie Zaragosa. They competed under the University of San Agustin’s Bulahan Price Team.

Dava also earned an individual distinction, placing 10th among 98 oralists in the preliminary rounds. The global field included teams from institutions such as the University of Oxford, University of Chicago, University of Vienna, Singapore Management University, NALSAR University of Law, and the University of the Philippines.

Their victory was later formally recognized in the Philippine House of Representatives through House Resolution No. 1030, congratulating the University of San Agustin College of Law team for winning the world championship at the 2026 competition.

From Iloilo to Oxford, Filipino law students have once again shown that Philippine talent can stand—and win—on the global academic stage. 🇵🇭🌻

Para sa Edukasyon. Para sa Bayan

Fil-Am named King County Superior Court judge

Fil-Am named King County Superior Court judge

Story by Bing Cardenas Branigin 
Inquirer.net
02 April 2025

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has announced his appointment of Benjamin Santos to the King County Superior Court.

Effective April 1, Santos fills the position vacated by Judge Annette Messitt, who resigned from the bench on Monday.

Santos, a Filipino American, has more than two decades of experience as a senior deputy prosecutor at the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where he has led the Misdemeanor and Special Assault units and currently serves as assistant chief deputy in the Juvenile Division.

“Ben Santos will be an exceptional addition to the King County Superior Court bench,” Ferguson said in a statement. “He has worked to protect the rights of both victims and the accused, inside and outside the courtroom. This lifelong commitment to our justice system combined with his broad legal experience will serve Washingtonians well.”

Santos said he was “deeply honored” to be appointed by Gov. Ferguson and “to serve the people of King County and the State of Washington in this new chapter of public service.”

“Today, I stand on the shoulders of many who paved the way,” he said.

Who is Benjamin Santos?

Santos’ parents fought for Filipino cannery workers and against the Philippine dictatorship in the 1970s, shaping his sense of justice and commitment to public service.

Prior to earning his law degree, Santos advocated for marginalized residents in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, where he helped mitigate the impacts of development projects.

Santos has prosecuted a broad range of cases. He has collaborated with partners in the justice system to address the statewide sexual assault kit backlog and explore evidence-based strategies for reducing juvenile recidivism.

Santos started his legal career as an intern with the Public Defender’s Service and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. He served as a law clerk for current Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu when she served on the King County Superior Court. Santos also worked for a year as a consultant to the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development in Washington, D.C.

Santos earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, where he co-founded the Filipino American Student Association and one of the first Filipino American fraternities in the country. He earned his law degree from American University in Washington, D.C.

He lives in Seattle with his wife and two children.