Who is Amando Virgil Ligutan, Cebu's top litigator in VP Duterte trial?

CEBU CITY, Philippines — For years, legal circles in Cebu have regarded Atty. Amando Virgil D. Ligutan as one of the city’s foremost litigators.

Today, the managing partner of SALiGAL Law has emerged on the national stage after accepting a high-profile role as a private prosecutor deputized to assist the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Known for his courtroom advocacy, academic credentials, and public interest work, Ligutan has built a legal career spanning complex civil and criminal litigation, labor law, local government disputes, and constitutional issues.

READ: Virgil Ligutan says defense failed to debunk testimony on VP ‘kill threat’ video

Academic distinction

Born in Carigara, Leyte, Ligutan graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of San Carlos before earning his Juris Doctor from the University of the Philippines College of Law.

At UP Law, he distinguished himself as a member of the Philippine team for the prestigious Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition and helped win the 2008 National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law.

He passed the 2009 Bar examinations and started his legal career as a junior associate at ACCRA Law before eventually becoming managing partner of Sapayan Lim Alvarez & Ligutan (SALiGAL Law) in Cebu City.

Veteran litigator

Over more than a decade in practice, Ligutan has handled civil and criminal litigation, labor disputes, election-related cases, local government controversies, and public interest litigation.

He has also served as a legal consultant to legislators and local chief executives and represented clients in several high-profile cases involving public officials.

Among the cases that drew public attention was his representation of former Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) board members during legal disputes involving Cebu City officials.

Educator

Outside the courtroom, Ligutan has spent years teaching the next generation of lawyers.

He serves as a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines College of Law and has taught at the University of San Jose-Recoletos and the University of Cebu, handling courses in labor law, remedial law, and public international law.

He recently announced that he would temporarily step away from teaching during the current semester to focus on the impeachment proceedings.

“For the first time since 2011, I won’t be teaching any law subject this coming semester. See you next semester,” he posted on social media.

Impeachment role of Ligutan

Ligutan accepted his role in the impeachment proceedings pro bono, saying accountability in public office motivated his decision.

In public statements, he argued that allegations involving millions of pesos in public funds deserve full scrutiny, pointing out the contrast with cases where public officials have received lengthy prison sentences over much smaller amounts.

His participation immediately thrust him into national prominence, with observers describing his courtroom presentations as methodical, composed, and deeply grounded in legal principles.

READ: Impeachment court to subpoena Sara Duterte chief of staff

Public positions

Beyond litigation, Ligutan has taken public positions on several nationally significant issues.

He has criticized the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, challenged misinformation surrounding the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and publicly supported legal accountability for alleged crimes investigated by the tribunal.

His views have made him one of Cebu’s more recognizable legal voices on constitutional law, international law, and governance issues.

Sources: SaLiGAL Law, VERA Files, Amando Virgil Ligutan/FB, Inquirer.net

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