The Aquila Legis (.L.F.) is a Filipino fraternity based in the Ateneo de Manila School of Law. Founded in 1949, it was the first fraternity founded by students, and the first fraternity in the Philippines using Latin nomenclature, preceding a number of Philippine law-based fraternities with names derived from Latin. (Aquila Legis in English means "eagle of the law," but is commonly translated as "legal eagle.") Over the past six decades, the fraternity has inducted over 1,500 members, some of whom eventually rose to public prominence as cabinet secretaries, legislators, justices, and ambassadors. History Aquila Legis Fraternity was founded as Fraternitas Aquilae Legis in 1949 by 21 second- and third-year students of the Ateneo Law School. As expressed by Aquila Legis alumnus and former Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, the fraternity was created "to promote camaraderie" and to "nurture Catholic lawyers and to produce leaders in every field of human endeavor", in line with the aims of the Jesuit-run Ateneo Law School. Among the early members were Gabriel Singson (later governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, or BSP), Teofisto Guingona, Jr. of the second batch in 1950 (later Vice President of the Philippines), and Raul Boncan (later a member of the BSP's Monetary Board). Over the years, the fraternity has earned a reputation for helping members pass the bar examinations, often with flying colors. Throughout Aquila Legis' history, over 40 fraternity alumni have reached the Top Ten of the Bar Examinations, five of whom earned first place. While one member obtained an "Excellent" mark in the 2020/2021 Bar Examinations. For a list of the fraternity's bar topnotchers, see: Bar Topnotchers and Placers from Aquila Legis. Controversy On February 8, 9 and 10, 1991, Aquila Legis senior members conducted initiation rites for neophytes interested in joining the fraternity's ranks. As a result of the traditional hazing ritual, one of the neophytes, Leonardo "Lenny" Villa, died from serious physical injuries at the Chinese General Hospital on February 10, 1991. In the wake of Villa's death, charges were filed against 26 members of the fraternity. The Regional Trial Court of Caloocan found the defendants guilty of the crime charged. The Court of Appeals however, overturned the findings of the trial court and acquitted 19 of the 26 defendants. The conviction of two Aquila Legis fraternity members, Fidelito Dizon and Artemio Villareal, was upheld, while the sentences for four other fraternity members were "downgraded