As the nation welcomes the new lawyers during the oath-taking of the 2025 Bar Examination passers at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on February 6, 2026, CIBAC Party-List Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva congratulated the new lawyers and urged the swift passage of the Abogado Para sa Bayan Act, a proposed measure aimed at supporting the next generation of aspiring lawyers and expanding access to justice for the poor and marginalized.
“Congratulations to our new lawyers. Your success is not only a personal victory—it is a calling,” Rep. Villanueva said. “As we celebrate this milestone today, we must also act to help the next batch of Bar examinees who have the heart to serve but lack the financial means. The law must be accessible not only to those who can afford it, but also to those who are willing to use it in service of the people.”
The Abogado Para sa Bayan Act proposes the establishment of a Legal Scholarship and Return Service Program (LSRS) that will provide full tuition support and education-related allowances for qualified law students pursuing a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws degree in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) or partner private institutions. Covered benefits include books, review classes, and licensure fees. In return, graduates who pass the Bar will be required to render two years of mandatory public service in government institutions such as the Public Attorney’s Office, the National Prosecution Service, the courts, and other legal aid offices serving underserved communities.
The measure authorizes the Legal Education Board (LEB) to determine the number and geographic allocation of scholars based on the shortage of government lawyers nationwide, ensuring that assistance is directed to areas most in need.
Rep. Villanueva said the bill is a timely response to the high cost of legal education and the continuing shortage of lawyers in government service, stressing that many qualified and service-oriented law students are unable to pursue or complete their studies due to financial constraints.
“CIBAC has always stood for integrity, accountability, and moral leadership,” he added. “A society anchored on justice must invest in lawyers who will defend not only the law, but the people it is meant to protect.”#