THERE are lawyers who practice the law, lawyers who teach the law, and lawyers who write about the law. Then there are those rare individuals who do all three while spending decades helping shape the laws they write about. Atty. Rodelio T. Dascil belongs to that rare group.
On Friday, September 11, at the 2026 Manila International Book Fair, the Main Stage of the SMX Convention Center Manila became a fitting venue to celebrate his remarkable journey in law, public service, scholarship, and mentorship.
The occasion, “Law, Life and Legacy: A Father-and-Son Conversation on the Legal Profession,” featuring Atty. Rodel and his son, Atty. Barachiel Dascil, was more than a book launch. It was a celebration of knowledge passed from one generation to another.
Atty. Rodel’s latest books, Introduction to Law and The Customs Modernization & Tariff Act (CMTA): Annotated (RA 10863), add to an impressive body of legal scholarship that includes works on the National Internal Revenue Code, taxation, customs, economic reforms, real property valuation, and other specialized laws. His Compendium of Laws on Taxation, NIRC of the Philippines as Amended Annotated, Customs Brokers Act of 2004 Explained, and other publications have become useful references for students, lawyers, government practitioners, and researchers.
What makes his scholarship particularly valuable is that it is grounded in actual legislative experience. As Director General of the Senate Tax Study and Research Office, he has spent decades providing technical assistance on tax measures, studying policy proposals, and helping in the development and drafting of tax legislation. The Senate itself has praised the STSRO under his leadership for providing excellent technical support and producing reference materials valued by lawmakers, technical staff, academics, and independent researchers.
Perhaps this explains why so many people came yesterday—not merely to buy books, but to honor the person behind them.
For me, the most beautiful part of the celebration was seeing Atty. Dascil shares the stage with his son. It reminded us that the greatest legacy of a lawyer is not measured by the number of books written or years in government, but by the knowledge shared, people mentored, and values passed on.
Congratulations, Atty. Rodelio Dascil, in your 30th book on your 30th year in the Senate. Your books are your legacy in print; your students, colleagues, and family are your legacy in life.
