One of the esteemed hallmarks of the Pontifical and Royal University,Dean Ernesto L. Pineda, obtained his Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Associate in Arts degrees from the University of Santo Tomas.

Dean Pineda became the Editor-in-Chief of the UST Law Review in 1963. In 1964, he graduated
Cum Laude in the UST Faculty of Civil Law. He placed llth the year he took the Bar Examinations; befitted the Papal Awardee: Order of St. Sylvester in 1983; and became the Recipient of the USTLAA Award for Legal Education in 1999.

Dean Pineda is the Former Commissioner of the Commission On Bar Discipline; Former IBP Governor (1979-81); and the (Former*) Vice-President of the Philippine Association of Law Schools and Director of the Philippine Association of Law Professors.

He is a seasoned lecturer and bar reviewer in Civil Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics and Remedial Law. He is affiliated with various law schools in the Philippines. He is a practicing lawyer until his appointment as Undersecretary of the Department of Justice. He is the author of various books in Civil Law, as well as books on Criminal Procedure, Legal Ethics and Judicial Ethics.

Dean Pineda teaches Evidence, Wills & Successions, Persons & Family Relations, Obligation & Contracts, Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure, Conflicts of Law, Torts & Damages, Legal Ethics, Civil Law Review 1, Civil Law Review 2.