Sen. Raffy Tulfo filed a Senate Bill which seeks to provide free tuition for law students and increase the number of attorneys in the country.
Legal education in top private legal educational institutions costs around P75,000 – P98,000 per semester while state universities’ tuition fee costs around P24,000 – P30,000. This excludes the living expenses and other necessities of the students.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 1610 or the Free Legal Education Act of 2023 which aims to increase the legal profession workforce through mandatory return service. It promotes access to quality legal education by providing free tuition and other school fees in state universities and colleges (SUCs).
At present, there are only around 40,000 attorneys comprising the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and even fewer are practicing lawyers.
“That translates to one lawyer serving roughly 2,500 people, very far from the ideal ratio of one lawyer for every 250 persons.” Tulfo explained.
In exchange for the free tuition, the law students will have to render return service in the public sector which shall pave the way for a sustainable human resource deployment that is critical for the nation’s justice system.
The Free Legal Education Program will cover tuition at the SUC governing board-approved rate, government-mandated bar examinations, licensure fees, and other school fees.
The bill would also help to inspire law-abiding citizens who want to serve the country's justice system. If the bill is passed and implemented, the number of attorneys in the country will almost certainly increase.
Lawyers represent and advise our society. They work to represent individuals and corporations in civil trials and to promote justice in criminal trials. Attorneys work as advisors to their clients, informing them of their rights, and the processes of law and helping them navigate the sometimes-tricky legal system.
Tags: #Law, #Students, #FreeTuition, #Justice