Death of Raul Camaligan On September 8, 1991, fraternity neophyte Raul Camaligan died of physical injuries sustained from initiation rites with Lex Talionis. Records of the criminal case show Camaligan, along with three other freshmen from the San Beda College of Law, were recruited with the assurance that hazing would not be required for full membership. Eight members were indicted for homicide before the
Regional Trial Court of Quezon City. Upon re-arraignment, they withdrew their earlier plea of not guilty and pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, effectively lowering the penalty to a minimum of two years and a maximum of four. The Grand Judex at that time, Roger Madamba, while not present during Camaligan's initiation, also admitted to the offense. The members were convicted, but later on applied for and were granted probation. One of the convicted members, Rufino Quitasol Jr., fled the country without serving his sentence. In three separate landmark cases, the Supreme Court allowed the members involved in Camaligan's death to take the bar examinations, take the lawyer's oath, and engage in the practice of law. In granting these petitions, the Court took judicial notice of "the general tendency of youth to be rash, temerarious and uncalculating." However, in 2017, an investigation by the
Philippine Daily Inquirer revealed that no such foundation was ever established and no scholars were registered under its name, according to the records of San Beda College. Within the first year of Duterte's presidency, 25 members of Lex Talionis held key positions in the government, up from just two during the previous administration. In 2021, Duterte admitted the appointments were motivated by
utang na loob (debt of gratitude), but defended his decisions by claiming he has the executive prerogative to appoint people he "know[s] and trust[s], just like other presidents before me." == Notable members ==