We shall not be saved without Wisdom, for though Knowledge is Power, only Wisdom is Liberty
Slogan
Para sa Bayan
Chapters
1
Nickname
Association of Philippine Barristers, Abogado Para sa Bayan
Headquarters
UP College of Law Quezon City Philippines
The Alpha Phi BetaFraternity (also known as ΑΦΒ, Association of Philippine Barristers, or Abogado Para sa Bayan) is a fraternity based in the University of the Philippines College of Law with no recognized chapters outside University of the Philippines Diliman.[1] The fraternity's membership hails from the College of Law and from pre-law colleges in the campus.[2] 2019 marked the fraternity's 80th Anniversary.[3] It is one of the three fraternities based in the college, the other two being Sigma Rho fraternity and Scintilla Juris.[4]
Then-professor Ambrosio Padilla was the Charter Adviser of the newly founded fraternity.[6]
By November 1939, the constitution and by-laws of the fraternity were drafted and filed with the University Council Committee on Student Organizations and Activities. Shortly thereafter, the committee granted recognition to the fraternity. Charter member and nationalist-historian Renato Constantino wrote the fraternity motto which would also serve as its guiding philosophy.[8][7]
During the early years, a weighted grade average of 1.75 was the prime qualification for an invitation into the fraternity.[9] To test the neophytes' commitment to the fraternity's ideals of surrender of individuality to the group's interests and absolute obedience to the majority's decision, they were made to undergo tests of skill and humility.[9]
In contrast with other fraternities' beliefs that severe physical tests ensured fraternal bonds, physical hazing was not encouraged on the belief that those with a low tolerance of pain should not be driven away. Moreover, applicants were not rejected on the basis of not having the social background or financial resources.[9] The fraternity emphasized on recruiting students with a strong middle-class background only.[10] The Charter Members did not come from elitist backgrounds.[9]
Post-war
After the war, the fraternity was reactivated in the UP College of Law which was re-opened at what was left of the Cancer Institute and the College of Engineering buildings in the Manila campus. Members Adriano Garcia, Arturo Atienza, Renato Constantino, Bienvenido Ejercito, and Benedicto Balderama, who also formed the Board of Editors of the Philippinensian from 1942 to 1946, spearheaded the reactivation.[11] During this time, the fraternity's constitution was amended to allow admission of students still in their pre-law courses to allow the fraternity to expand and recruit members deemed with early potential.[11] Moreover, the scholastic standing rule was relaxed.[12]
Before the end of the millennium, the fraternity produced three bar topnotchers, one student regent, five chairpersons of the University Student Council, 15 councilors of the USC, eight college representatives, one editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, and eight staff members of the Philippine Collegian.[7]
In 2013, President Benigno Aquino III recognized the fraternity for being at the forefront of the UP student movement, praising the fraternity's role in "shaping the future stewards of the University, and in providing a podium for the sonorous voices of the Filipino youth."[17]
From 2016, the fraternity has held the annual Ditto Sarmiento Essay Writing Competition in commemoration of the young campus journalists who died in the fight for press freedom during the martial law era. The competition honors Abraham "Ditto" Sarmiento Jr. who died at the age of 27 shortly after being imprisoned during the Marcos Regime.[13] The nationwide competition is composed of a series of contests that are open to high school and college students.[18]
Controversies
Based on police investigations from 1991 to 1994, the fraternity was involved in a total of 24 reported violent incidents (which involve weapons such as clubs, explosives, bladed weapons, among others) between student organizations in the UP Diliman campus.[19]
In 1998, a UP student died following a hazing conducted by members of the fraternity, some of which were later imprisoned.[20][21][22]
In 1999, members of the fraternity were mauled by members of Sigma Rho Fraternity.[23] The next year, a member of the fraternity was knifed and killed by members of Sigma Rho in front of the UP Law Center.[24][25] There was also another reported instance of a rumble with Sigma Rho in the same year.[26]
In 2011, a member of the fraternity was attacked near his house during a series of clashes with the Alpha Sigma fraternity.[27] The following year, the two fraternities were involved in another brawl.[28]
In 2013, the fraternity was implicated in a rumble with Beta Sigma.[29][30]
In 2016, the fraternity was involved in a fight with Sigma Rho Fraternity during the UP Law Bar Operations.[31] In 2017, the fraternity was again involved in a series of altercations with Sigma Rho for which the two fraternities reportedly kept score of attacks and retaliations.[32][31] The next year, the fraternity was involved in a physical confrontation and car chase with Upsilon Sigma Phi.[33][34] The latter three fraternities, in addition to Alpha Sigma and Scintilla Juris, are considered to have the longest traditional rivalry in the campus.[15]
Notable members
Members of the Alpha Phi Beta are called "Lords" and its membership is known as the "Roster of Lords". The head of the fraternity is called the "Lord Chancellor".[35][11]
Senator Francis "Chiz" EscuderoAlbay Representative Edcel LagmanChief Justice Reynato PunoFinance Secretary Benjamin Diokno
In student leadership, the Roster of Lords include 22 Philippine Collegian editors-in-chief, nine Philippine Law Journal editorial board chairpersons, eight Philippinensian editors-in-chief, nine Philippine Law Register editors-in-chief, seven University Student Council chairpersons, and four Law Student Government presidents.[7]
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