ATTY. MAGTANGGOL “MAGI” T. GUNIGUNDO I

Faculty Member, School of Law

Atty. Magtanggol “Magi” T. Gunigundo I is a distinguished legal practitioner, legislator, and educator whose career spans public service, lawmaking, legal scholarship, and academic instruction. He is currently engaged in private practice as a member of Gunigundo and De Leon Law Office in Valenzuela City.

A seasoned public servant, Atty. Gunigundo served as a five-term Congressman representing the 2nd District of Valenzuela City, having been elected to the 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Congress. Throughout his legislative career, he emerged as a principal author of numerous landmark laws of national significance, reflecting his commitment to governance, social reform, and institutional development.

Among his most notable legislative contributions is Republic Act No. 9048, widely known as the “Gunigundo Law,” which authorized administrative correction of clerical errors and change of first name in the civil registry without the need for a judicial order — an innovation that made legal processes more accessible and efficient. This reform was further strengthened by Republic Act No. 10172, expanding the authority to correct entries relating to birth details and sex.

He also authored and contributed to key pieces of legislation such as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (RA 9211), the Customs Brokers Profession Act (RA 9280), the Tax Relief Law for Minimum Wage Earners (RA 9504), the Kasambahay Law (RA 10361), and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (RA 10533), where he championed the institutionalization of mother-tongue-based multilingual education. His legislative portfolio likewise includes measures on employment programs for students, judicial expansion, labor protections, national time standardization, and customs modernization under RA 10863, where his expertise significantly shaped the final law.

In recognition of his legislative work, he was conferred the Human Development Legislator Award by the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), citing his authorship of laws that advance human development in the Philippines.

Atty. Gunigundo is also an accomplished legal scholar and author. He has written two law books: RA 9048 Annotated (2002) and Notes on RA 10863: The Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (2017), both of which serve as valuable references for legal practitioners and students. He is likewise an active public intellectual, contributing a weekly opinion column published every Sunday in People’s Journal.

In the field of legal education, he has taught Civil Law subjects, including Persons and Family Relations and Obligations and Contracts.  At MLQU, he brings with him a wealth of practical experience and doctrinal expertise, enriching the academic formation of future lawyers.

Atty. Gunigundo obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the Ateneo de Manila University and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he also completed his primary and secondary education. He placed 13th in the 1989 Bar Examinations, achieving a score of 84.83%.

He further enhanced his expertise through international training, including the Leaders in Development Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the ASEAN Customs Officers Training Course in Seoul, South Korea.

Through his distinguished career in law, legislation, and education, Atty. Gunigundo exemplifies the integration of legal scholarship, public service, and professional excellence — values that resonate strongly with the mission of Manuel L. Quezon University.