2025 UPAA most distinguished alumnus

The Honorable Lucas P. Bersamin currently serves as the 40th Executive Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines, appointed on 27 September 2022. A distinguished jurist and public servant, he previously served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (2018-2019), having earlier been an Associate Justice of both the Supreme Court (2009-2018) and the Court of Appeals (2003-2009), and a long-serving Regional Trial Court Judge (1986-2003)

Before joining the judiciary, Executive Secretary Bersamin was a practicing lawyer and partner at Purugganan & Bersamin Law Office (1974-1986). He is a Bar topnotcher, placing 9th in the 1973 Bar Examinations with a perfect score in Criminal Law. He earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the East and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

He also served as Chairman of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) from 2020 to 2022 and currently leads several key national councils and committees, including the Anti-Terrorism Council, National Maritime Council, Presidential AntiOrganized Crime Commission, and the 2026 ASEAN National Organizing Council, among others.

In recognition of his integrity and leadership, he has received numerous awards, including the Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos Award for Outstanding RTC Judge and the Gusi Peace Prize International Laureate (2018).

Notably, he is the only trial judge to have received both the Best Decision in Civil Law and Criminal Law awards in the same year from the Supreme Court’s Memorabilia Commission.

A lifelong educator, he has taught thousands of law students as a professor and bar reviewer. His published work, Appeal and Review in the Philippines (2000), remains a key resource in Philippine legal education.

He is a Fellow of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute (Dalhousie University, Canada). He holds honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of the East and the University of Cebu. In addition, he is an active member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the Philippine Judges Association, the UP Alumni Association, and the UP Scintilla Juris Fraternity.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY LUCAS P. BERSAMIN ABPolSci’68

UPAA announces 2025 top Alumni Awardees

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) will honor 64 exceptional individuals, groups, and families at this year’s UPAA Alumni Awards, one of the most prestigious recognitions given to graduates of the University.

These awards celebrate alumni who have shown honor, excellence, and service, and who continue to make a positive impact through their leadership, contributions to society, and achievements in their fields—both in the Philippines and abroad

As UPAA President and Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton remarked: “Beyond professional excellence, we looked for the strength of their leadership, the depth of their service, and the magnitude of their impact. These awardees reflect the very best of what it means to be an Iskolar ng Bayan."

This year’s roster of honorees includes 47 individual awardees, 3 outstanding UP alumni chapters, 4 recipients of the Presidential Service Award, and 10 awardees of the Multigenerational Alumni Family Award.

UPAA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDEES

UPAA LIFETIME DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

UPAA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI IN:

Congratulations to our outstanding alumni awardees!

Your achievements resonate far beyond your fields—uplifting communities, inspiring future leaders, and driving meaningful change. We honor your journey and look forward to the even greater impact you are destined to make.

Mabuhay kayo, and Padayon!