Commissioner Monina Arevalo Zenarosa of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has lauded the Senate’s initiative to propose the “Abogado Para sa Bayan” bill that would provide scholarships for deserving students who want to pursue legal education.
As a retired Court of Appeals associate justice, Commissioner Zenarosa underscored the importance of law education in the promotion of human rights.
"We hope that through this measure, students will continue to be inspired in pursuing legal studies and be a beacon of justice driven by a desire to serve the nation, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized communities," she said.
"After all, justice and equal representation in the face of the law are fundamental human rights that should be enjoyed by all Filipinos, regardless of social status or financial capacity," she also said.
Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, now Senate president, sponsored Senate Bill (SB) No. 2596, also known as the "Act Establishing a Legal Scholarship and Return Service Program for Deserving Students."
The proposed legislation aims to provide legal education scholars with free tuition and other school fees, as well as allowances for books and supplies and bar review and licensure fees within the prescribed time frame.
In exchange, the scholars will be required to complete two years of return service in government agencies.
Given the country's increasing need for legal services, the CHR said that it is critical for the state to give a helping hand to students who want to pursue the legal profession since many are weighed down by the financial burdens of a good law education.
"In line with this, we take note of our legislators' efforts, particularly Senator Escudero, to push a measure that seeks to support students who want to continue their legal studies and serve the country afterward," the CHR said.
"The Commission believes that investing in capable and deserving students who want to serve the country through the legal profession must be acknowledged as a vital step toward a more just and equitable society," it stressed.