SC issues TRO halting LEB’s move to close MSU College of Law

The Supreme Court (SC) issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Tuesday to prevent the Legal Education Board (LEB) from enforcing its decision to close the Mindanao State University (MSU) College of Law for Academic Year 2025-2026.

The TRO also halted LEB's plans to revoke MSU's law school accreditation and prohibit the university from offering law programs at its campuses in Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Maguindanao.

Separate petitions were filed by MSU and Abdul Rahman Ltiph Nasser challenging the LEB’s authority over MSU College of Law under the Legal Education Reform Act of 1993.

The SC required both parties to submit memoranda within a non-extendible period of 15 days from notice on the impact of Article IX, Section 17 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law on LEB’s jurisdiction over MSU.

MSU argues that the LEB's decision could deprive Muslim youth in Mindanao of access to legal education and undermine decades of peace-building efforts by the university.