SCINTILLA JURIS was founded by fourteen honor students at the University of the Philippines College of Law on October 14, 1966.
Literally, Scintilla Juris means "Spark of Right". The founders chose this name because they wanted to become the spark that would change the fraternity system in UP. One major change introduced by SCINTILLA JURIS is the equality of all members, regardless of age or seniority. This is reflected in the spelling of the name of the fraternity, using only capital letters.
The founders of the Fraternity chose three guiding principles that would become the pillars of the Fraternity and its members. These ideals are the "Rule of Law, Intellectual Integrity, and Academic Excellence". Fraternity members swore to spread these ideals throughout the University.
The motto of the Fraternity is “SCINTILLA JURIS, right or wrong! To keep right when right, to set right when wrong".(Justus Avt Pravus Certamus)
Membership is limited only to males and by recruitment only. All members are bound by secret oaths. A simple greeting met by another confirms kinship between members.
Recruitment was initially confined to the University of the Philippines College of Law. However, recruitment was later opened to other colleges at UP, starting from the College of Arts and Sciences (now College of Arts and Letters, College of Science, College of Social Science and Philosophy).
During the late 70's, SCINTILLANS established chapters in other University of the Philippines campuses, starting at Los Baños and from there spreading to Baguio City and Iloilo City.
During the Martial Law era, the Fraternity established chapters at other universities in the Philippines. However, seeking to maintain the quality of its members, the Fraternity recruits only from the College of Medicine and College of Law at universities other than University of the Philippines.
SCINTILLANS were active in demonstrating against the dictatorship established by the President of the Philippines in the 1970's. During the Martial Law era, several SCINTILLANS were imprisoned by the government while fighting for the well-established freedom of education, speech, and the press, all of which were suppressed by the administration.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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