# Gamma Delta Epsilon

The Gamma Delta Epsilon Fraternity (ΓΔΕ) was a Philippines professional law fraternity. It was founded in 1948 at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and it is the oldest existing law fraternity at the university. Its members include four justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, two who became the Chief Justice of the Philippines. In 2018, the university suspended all fraternities and sororities after the hazing death of a member of Aegis Juris fraternity.

## History

Gamma Delta Epsilon was established at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law in February 1948 as a society for law students and lawyers. The fraternity's founding members were Gregorio Bilog, Jesus Borromeo, Jaime Claparols, Higino Francisco, Miguel Halili Jr., Maximo Maceren, Andres Narvasa, Pablo Tangco, Antonio Venecia, Geronimo O. Veneracion, and Onofre Villaluz.
The fraternity participated in charitable fundraising events, including an annual fundraiser that benefits the Bar Exam operations and examinees and other activities to support local communities. Its sister organization was the Astrea Law Sorority which was founded in 1936 and is the oldest at the University of Santo Tomas.
As of 2018, the fraternity had initiated more than 1,000 active members. In 2018, the university suspended all fraternities and sororities after the hazing death of a member of Aegis Juris fraternity.

## Symbols

Gamma Delta Epsilon's motto was Fiat Justitia Ruat Cælum or "Let justice be done, though the heavens fall". The fraternity's colors were blue and red.

## Notable members

Gamma Delta Epsilon members include justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, the Court of Appeals of the Philippines, and the Court of Tax Appeals; local judges; academicians and law school deans; lawyers; and public servants. Following are some of its notable members.
* Arturo Buena – associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
* Caesar A. Casanova – associate justice of the Court of Tax Appeals
* Amado Dimayuga – Secretary of Justice (Philippines), justice of the Court of Appeals of the Philippines, and dean of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, the University of the East College of Law, and Manuel L. Quezon University School of Law
* Jose Feria – associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and dean of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law
* Joel Sarsiban Garcia – 28th Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard
* Oscar C. Herrera Jr. – associate justice of Sandiganbayan
* Ronald Moreno – associate justice of Sandiganbayan
* Andres Narvasa – Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and dean of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law
* Diosdado Peralta – Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
* Oscar B. Pimentel – judge of the Makati Regional Trial Court and civil law professor at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law

## Controversies and member misconduct

On August 6, 2008, a member of the Suprema Lex Fraternity was attacked by members of Gamma Delta Epsilon on the University of Santo Tomas campus. This took place after a heated argument between members of the two fraternities the previous day. The incident was investigated by University of Santo Tomas Security Affairs who noted that the two fraternities had been "at odds" for some time.
Gamma Delta Epsilon has a rivalry with Aegis Juris, another law fraternity at University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. In October 2014, the university temporarily suspended both fraternities as a precautionary measure after two non-physical "standoffs" between members. In November 2016, members of the two fraternities had several altercations before a November 13 fight in the lobby of Manila Hotel, resulting in injuries to four members of Gamma Delta Epsilon and the arrest of seven members of Aegis Juris. Gamma Delta Epsilon members came to the fight armed with batons and belts. While Faculty of Civil Law's dean investigated the incident, members of both fraternities were not allowed to attend classes or enter the campus.