2019 GRAND LAW DEBATE CONTEST RULES

I. Format

This debate shall employ a modified Oxford-Oregon Format (otherwise known as

the Cross- Examination Format).

II. Eligibility

The debate is open to law students who are enrolled in at least six (6) units within
the school year 2018-2019 in the school s/he represents, which may either be
the University Negros Occidental - Recoletos or Silliman University College of
Law.

III. Composition of the Team

Each debating team shall consist of four (4) members; three (3) to act as the
necessity, beneficiality, and practicability speakers, and the other member to act
as Rebuttal Speaker who is to deliver the rebuttal-summation.

IV. Debate Proposition

The proposition to be debated upon is “Resolved That: The Philippines should
adopt a National ID system.”

V. Assignment

By tradition, the Silliman University College of Law takes the Affirmative Side.
Therefore, the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos School of Law is
assigned the Negative Side of this debate.

VI. Order of Speakers

The Speaking Order is as follows:

1st Constructive speech by the Affirmative Necessity Speaker 6 min.

Interpellation by 1st Negative Necessity Speaker 3 min.
1st Constructive speech by the Negative Necessity Speaker 6 min.
Interpellation by the 1st Affirmative Necessity Speaker 3 min.
2nd Constructive speech by the Affirmative Beneficiality Speaker 5 min.
Interpellation by 2nd Negative Beneficiality Speaker 3 min.
2nd Constructive speech by the Negative Beneficiality Speaker 5 min.
Interpellation by the 2nd Affirmative Beneficiality Speaker 3 min.

3rd Constructive speech by the Affirmative Practicability Speaker 5 min.

Interpellation by 3rd Negative Practicability Speaker 3 min.
3rd Constructive speech by the Negative Practicability Speaker 5 min.
Interpellation by the 3rd Affirmative Practicability Speaker 3 min.
Break 5min.

Negative Rebuttal – Summation 6 min.

Affirmative Rebuttal – Summation 6 min.

VII. Speaking Time Allotment

“Speaker” shall refer to the debating team members who will deliver either of the
three constructive speeches for six (6) minutes for the first speaker and (5)
minutes for the succeeding speakers.

“Interpellator” shall refer to the debating team members who will interpellate
either of the three opposing speakers for three (3) minutes.

“Rebuttal Speaker” shall refer to the debating team member who will deliver the
rebuttal- summation speech for six (6) minutes.

The necessity speaker will hear a single bell indicating that one minute has
elapsed during the speech; then a single bell indicating that five minutes have
elapsed during the speech; then a double bell indicating that six minutes have
elapsed during the speech and that time is up. After the end of the sixth minute,
the necessity speaker is expected to finish his/her speech within a 30-
second grace period.

The beneficiality and practicability speakers will hear a single bell indicating that
one minute has elapsed during the speech; then a single bell indicating that four
minutes have elapsed during the speech; then a double bell indicating that five
minutes have elapsed during the speech and that time is up. After the end of the
fifth minute, the beneficiality and practicability speakers are expected to finish
their speech within a 30-second grace period.

After the end of the 30-second grace period, a speaker will hear a double bell.
Exceeding such grace period will subject the speaker to 1 point deduction for the
first second he/she exceeded the time and another 1 point deduction for every 5
seconds thereafter.

An interpellator will hear a single bell indicating that one minute has elapsed
during the interpellation; then a double bell indicating that three minutes have
elapsed during the interpellation and that time is up. The speaker shall be
allowed to answer briefly. An interpellator is allowed no time extension.

A rebuttal speaker will hear a single bell indicating that one minute has elapsed
during the speech; then a single bell indicating that five minutes have elapsed
during the speech; then a double bell indicating that six minutes have elapsed
during the speech and that time is up. After the end of the sixth minute,
a rebuttal-speaker is expected to finish her/his speech within a 30-second grace
period. After the end of the 30-second grace period, a speaker will hear a double
bell. Exceeding such grace period will subject the speaker to a point deduction
for the first second of the exceeded time and another point deduction for every 5
seconds thereafter.

VIII. Winners
The winners to be voted by the panel of Adjudicators/Judges are the Best
Debater, Best Speaker and Best Rebuttal Speaker.

IX. Criteria

Best Speaker:
Content and
Organization 30%
Delivery and
Expression 35%
Reasoning & Evidence 25%
Stage Behavior 10%
Total 100%

Best Debater:
Constructive Speech (same criteria as Best
Speaker) 40%
Interpellation 60%
Interpellating 30%
Being Interpellated 30%
Total 100%

Best Rebuttal
Speaker:
Content and
Organization 30%
Delivery and
Expression 30%
Refutation 30%
 Stage Behavior 10%
Total 100%

X. Prizes

Best Debater: Trophy

Best Speaker: Trophy

Best Rebuttal Speaker: Trophy

This is a friendly, non-contest debate. As such, no team will be declared as

the over-all winner.