Jorge Bocobo

Dr. Jorge Cleofas Bocobo, was the 5th President of the University of the Philippines, serving from 1934 to 1939. He was born on October 19, 1886, in Gerona, Tarlac. In 1911, he went to the College of Law of the University of the Philippines and served as an instructor, and in 1914, he was made assistant professor of Civil Law. In 1917, he gained the position of professor, and was made acting dean of the College of Law. It is said that his standards for legal training greatly contributed to the UP College of Law’s great success as a law school. In 1934, Bocobo was inaugurated as the fifth president of the University of the Philippines. He introduced many ideas to the University such as student courtesy and guidance, as well as improving the teaching method. Following his term as President of the University, he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction in 1939, by then President Manuel L. Quezon. From 1942 to 1944, he was justice of the Supreme Court, and afterwards served as the Chairman of the Code Commission from 1947 to 1962. He passed away on July 23, 1965, in Manila.