NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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of t!)f fisCil'fti’V;-'
24 MAR 11 A10 :13
SENATE
RECEIVED B1.'.
SENATE BILL NO.
Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committees on Higher, Technical and 
Vocational Education; Justice and Human Rights; Ways and Means; and Finance with 
Senators Tuifo, Escudero, Toientino, and Angara as authors thereof
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE LEGAL EDUCATION BOARD, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7662, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'LEGAL 
EDUCATION REFORM ACT OF 1993'
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7662, is hereby amended to read as
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follows:
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"Sec 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is hereby declared the policy 
of the State to uplift the standards of legal education in order to 
prepare [tew] students OF LEGAL EDUCATION for advocacy, 
counselling, problem-solving, and decision-making; to infuse in them 
the ethics of the legal profession; to impress upon them the 
importance, nobility and dignity of the legal profession as an equal and 
indispensable partner of the Bench in the administration of justice; 
and, to develop socially-committed lawyers with integrity and 
competence.
"Towards this end, the State shall undertake appropriate 
reforms in the legal education system[, rcquire-propcr selection of low


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students/] THAT WOULD maintain quality among [law schools, ond 
require—legal—apprenticeship—and—continuing] legal education
INSTITUTIONS."
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Sec. 2. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7662, is hereby amended to read as
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follows:
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"Sec. 3. Genera! and Specific Objectives of Legai Education. -
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"(a) Legal Education in the Philippines is geared to attain the 
following general objectives:
"(1) to prepare students OF LEGAL EDUCATION for the 
practice of law;
"(2) to increase awareness among [members -oMihe] 
STUDENTS OF legal [profession] EDUCATION of the needs 
of the poor, deprived and oppressed sectors of society;
"(3) to train [persons] STUDENTS OF LEGAL 
EDUCATION for leadership;
"(4) TO UNDERTAKE LEGAL RESEARCH AND 
IMPLEMENT LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS; AND
"[(4)] (5) to contribute towards the promotion and 
advancement of justice and the improvement of [its] THE 
administration[7] OF the legal system and legal EDUCATION 
institutions in the light of the historical and contemporary 
development of law in the Philippines and [in other countries] 
THE REST OF THE WORLD.
"(b) Legal education shall aim to accomplish the following 
specific objectives:
"(1) to impart among [law] students OF LEGAL 
EDUCATION a broad knowledge of THE law and its various 
fields, PHILOSOPHIES, SYSTEMS and [of legal] institutions;


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"(2) to enhance [theif] THE legal research abilities [te] 
OF STUDENTS OF LEGAL EDUCATION, enable them to 
analyze, articulate and apply the law effectively, [as well as to] 
AND allow them to DEVELOP AND ADOPT [have] a holistic 
approach [te] IN ADDRESSING legal problems and issues;
"(3) to prepare [tew] students OF LEGAL EDUCATION 
for advocacy, counselling, problem-solving and decision-making, 
and develop their ability to deal with recognized legal problems 
of the present and the future;
"(4) to develop THE competence OF STUDENTS OF 
LEGAL EDUCATION in any field of law as is necessary for 
gainful employment or sufficient as a foundation for future 
training beyond the basic professionai degree, and to develop in 
them the desire and capacity for continuing study and self- 
improvement;
"(5) to inculcate [in them] AMONG STUDENTS OF 
LEGAL EDUCATION the ethics and responsibilities of the legai 
profession; and
"(6) to produce lawyers who conscientiously pursue the 
lofty goals of their profession and faithfully adhere to its ethical 
norms."
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Sec. 3. A new Section 4 is hereby inserted after Section 3 of Republic Act No.
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7662 to read as follows:
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"SEC. 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS. - AS USED IN AND FOR 
THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT:
"(A) BASIC LAW PROGRAM SHALL REFER TO AN 
ACADEMIC DEGREE PRIMARILY AND SOLELY DESIGNED FOR 
THE TRAINING AND FORMATION OF PROSPECTIVE LAWYERS


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AND AS A REQUIREMENT FOR TAKING THE BAR 
EXAMINATIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE SUPREME COURT;
"(B) GRADUATE LAW PROGRAM SHALL REFER TO AN 
ADVANCED ACADEMIC DEGREE IN LAW, SUCH AS THE 
MASTER OF LAWS, DOCTOR OF LAWS, OR THEIR ACADEMIC 
EQUIVALENTS;
"(C) LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS SHALL REFER TO 
THE BASIC AND GRADUATE LAW PROGRAMS AS DEFINED 
UNDER THIS ACT;
"(D) LEGAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS SHALL REFER 
TO HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS DULY RECOGNIZED 
BY THE COMMISSION ON LEGAL EDUCATION CREATED 
UNDER THIS ACT, AND DULY AUTHORIZED TO OFFER LEGAL 
EDUCATION AS DEFINED UNDER THIS ACT; AND
"(E) LEGAL EDUCATION STUDENTS SHALL REFER TO 
STUDENTS ENROLLED IN BASIC AND/OR GRADUATE LAW 
PROGRAMS."
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Sec. 4. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7662 is hereby renumbered as Section 5
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and amended to read as follows:
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"Sec. [4t] 5. COMMISSION ON Legal Education [Board]; 
Creation and Composition. - To EFFECTIVELY carry out the 
[purposes] PROVISIONS of this Act, there is hereby created the 
COMMISSION ON Legal Education [Board], hereinafter referred to 
as the [Board] COMMISSION, attached solely for budgetary 
purposes and administrative support to the [Department of Education, 
Culture and Sports] COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION 
(CHED).
"The [Board] COMMISSION shall be composed of a 
[Chairman] CHAIRPERSON, who shall preferably be a former justice


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of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals, and the following as regular
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members: a representative of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines
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(IBP); a representative of the Philippine Association of Law Schools
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(PALS); a representative FROM THE RANKS of [the-Philippine
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Association of] Law Professors [(-PALP)]; a representative from the
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ranks of active law practitioners; and, a representative from the law
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students' sector. The [Secretary of the Department of Education,
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Culture and Sports] CHAIRPERSON OF THE CHED, or his
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representative, shall be an ex officio member of the [Board]
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COMMISSION.
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"With the exception of the representative of the law students'
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sector, the Chairman and regular members of the [Board]
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COMMISSION must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and
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members of the Philippine Bar, OF PROVEN PROBITY AND
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INTEGRITY, AND who have been engaged for at least ten (10) years
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in the practice of law[, as well as-fn-thc teaching of law in a duly
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authorized-er-r-ccognizcd law-school]."
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Sec. 4. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7662 is hereby renumbered as Section 6
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and amended to read as follows:
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Sec. [St] 6. Term of Office; Compensation. - The [Chairman]
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CHAIRPERSON and regular members of the [Board] COMMISSION
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shall be appointed by the President for a term of five (5) years,
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[without] ELIGIBLE FOR reappointment FOR ANOTHER TERM,
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from a list of at least three (3) nominees prepared, with prior
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authorization from the Supreme Court, by the Judicial and Bar Council,
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for every position or vacancy, and no such appointment shall need
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confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. Of those first
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appointed, the [Chairman] CHAIRPERSON and the representative of
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the IBP shall hold office for five (5) years; the representatives of the
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PALS and [the PALP] LAW PROFESSORS for three (3) years; and the
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representative from the ranks of active law practitioners and the


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representative of the law students' sector for one (1) year, without
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reappointment. Appointments to any vacancy CAUSED BY DEATH,
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DISQUALIFICATION, INCAPACITY, OR RESIGNATION, shall be
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only for the unexpired portion of the term of the predecessor.
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The [Chairman] CHAIRPERSON and regular members of the
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[Board] COMMISSION shall have the same [salary] SALARIES and
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[raftk] RANKS as the [Chairman] CHAIRPERSON and members,
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respectively, of the Constitutional Commissions: Provided, That their
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salaries shall not be diminished during their term of office.
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Sec. 5. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7662 is hereby repealed.
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Sec. 6. A new Section 7 is hereby inserted after the renumbered Section 6 of
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Republic Act No. 7662 to read as follows:
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"SEC. 7. SECRETARIAT. - THE COMMISSION SHALL
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ORGANIZE A SECRETARIAT WHICH SHALL BE HEADED BY AN
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO BE APPOINTED BY THE
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COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION SHALL FIX THE
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SECRETARIAT'S STAFFING PATTERN, DETERMINE THE
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DUTIES, QUALIFICATIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND
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FUNCTIONS, AS WELL AS THE COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR
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THE POSITIONS TO BE CREATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
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RELEVANT CIVIL SERVICES LAWS AND REGULATIONS. THE
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COMMISSION SHALL, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH RELEVANT
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LAWS AND REGULATIONS, ESTABLISH FIELD OFFICES IN
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LUZON, VISAYAS AND MINDANAO AND APPOINT SUCH
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OFFICES AND EMPLOYEES AS IT MAY DEEM NECESSARY IN
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THE EXERCISE OF ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS."
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Sec. 7. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 7662 is hereby renumbered as Section 8
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and amended to read as follows:


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"Sec. [^] 8. Powers and Functions. — For the purpose of 
achieving the objectives of this Act, the [Board] COMMISSION, 
WITHOUT ENCROACHING UPON THE ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF 
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, shall [have] EXERCISE 
the following powers and functions:
"(a) to administer the legal education system in the country in a 
manner consistent with the provisions of this Act, INCLUDING THE 
FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DEVELOPMENT 
PLANS, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS ON LEGAL EDUCATION 
AND RESEARCH;
"(b) to supervise [the—law—schools] LEGAL EDUCATION 
INSTITUTIONS in the country, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, 
consistent with its powers and functions as herein enumerated;
"(c) to set the standards of accreditation for [law schools] 
LEGAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS taking into account, among 
others, THE NUMBER OF RECOGNIZED LEGAL EDUCATION 
INSTITUTIONS, the size of enrollment, the qualifications of the 
members of the faculty, the AVAILABILITY OF library and other 
facilities INCLUDING THOSE FOR VIRTUAL OR ON-LINE 
LEARNING[, without encroaching upon the academic freedom of 
institutions of higher learning];
"(d) to accredit [law—schools] LEGAL EDUCATION 
INSTITUTIONS that [meet] COMPLY WITH the POLICIES, 
standards AND GUIDELINES of [accreditation] THE COMMISSION;
"(e) to prescribe minimum standards for [law] admission TO 
LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS and minimum qualifications and 
compensation of faculty members;
"(f) to prescribe the basic curricula for [the course of study] 
LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS aligned to the requirements for 
admission to the Bar, [law] practice OF PROFESSION and social 
consciousness, and such other courses of study as may be prescribed


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by LEGAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS [the low schools and 
eelleges] under the different levels of accreditation status;
"[(g) to establish a law practice internship as a requirement for 
taking the Bar which a law student shall undergo with any duly
accredited private or public law office or firm or legal asGistance group
anytime doHng-the law course for a specific period that the Board-may
decide, but not to exceed a total of twelve-(l-2) months.-For--this
purpose, the Board shall prescribe-the-nocessary-guidelinos-for-sueh
accreditation and the specifications of such internship which shall
include the actual work of a new member of the Bar];
"(G) TO MONITOR AND EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE 
OF LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND LEGAL EDUCATION 
INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROVISION OF APPLICABLE 
INCENTIVES AND/OR SUBSIDIES, AS WELL AS IMPOSITION 
OF APPROPRIATE SANCTIONS SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED 
TO, DIMINUTION OR WITHDRAWAL OF INCENTIVES AND/OR 
SUBSIDIES, WITHDRAWAL OF ACCREDITATION, 
TERMINATION OF LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, OR 
CLOSURE OF LEGAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS;
"[(h) to adopt a system of continuing legal education. For this 
purpose,-the- Board may provide for the mandatory attendance of
practicing lawyers in such courses and for such duration as the Board
may deem necessary; and]
"(H) TO IDENTIFY, SUPPORT AND DEVELOP POTENTIAL 
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN LEGAL EDUCATION FOR THE 
DEVELOPMENT OF WORLD-CLASS LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP, AND 
THE PROMOTION OF RULE OF LAW, NATION-BUILDING AND 
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT;
"(I) TO IMPOSE AND COLLECT REASONABLE FEES AND 
CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROVISION OF 
SERVICES BY THE COMMISSION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO, THE PROCESSING OF ACCREDITATION,


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ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATION, AND THE CONDUCT OF
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SEMINAR AND/OR TRAINING PROGRAMS;
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"(J) TO IMPOSE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS
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ACT AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ISSUED PURSUANT
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THERETO;
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"(K) TO ACCEPT GRANTS, BEQUESTS, ENDOWMENTS,
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DONATIONS AND OTHER FORMS OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE
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USED FOR THE PROMOTION OF LEGAL EDUCATION AND
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SCHOLARSHIP IN THE COUNTRY AND/OR FOR THE
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REALIZATION OF THE OBJECTIVES ENSHRINED IN THIS ACT;
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"(L) TO SUBMIT TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS
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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
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ADMINISTRATION OF LEGAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH;
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AND
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"[(!)] (M) to perform such other functions and prescribe such
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rules and regulations necessary for the attainment of the policies and
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objectives of this Act.
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Sec. 8. Sections 8, 9 and 10 of Republic Act No. 7662 are hereby repealed.
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Sec. 9. A new Section 9 is hereby inserted after the renumbered Section 8 of
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Republic Act No. 7662 to read as follows:
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"SEC. 9. ACCREDITATION OF LEGAL EDUCATION
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INSTITUTIONS. - THE COMMISSION MAY ACCREDIT LEGAL
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EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND AUTHORIZE THE SAME TO
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OFFER LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAM UPON COMPLIANCE
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WITH ITS POLICIES, STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES. NO
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EDUCATION INSTITUTION MAY OFFER LEGAL EDUCATION
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PROGRAMS UNLESS DULY ACCREDITED BY THE
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COMMISSION.
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"THE COMMISSION MAY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
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REQUIREMENTS OF DUE PROCESS, WITHDRAW OR


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DOWNGRADE THE ACCREDITATION STATUS OF LEGAL 
EDUCATION INSTITUTION WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH 
ITS POLICIES, STANDARDS OR GUIDELINES. THE 
WITHDRAWAL OR DOWNGRADING OF ACCREDITATION 
STATUS SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AFTER THE LAPSE OF THE TERM 
FOLLOWING THE RECEIPT BY THE LEGAL EDUCATION 
INSTITUTION CONCERNED OF THE NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL 
OR DOWNGRADING UNLESS, IN THE MEANTIME, THE LEGAL 
EDUCATION INSTITUTION CONCERNED SATISFIES THE 
DEFICIENCIES OR COMPLIES WITH THE POLICIES, 
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES OF THE COMMISSION UPON 
WHICH THE WITHDRAWAL OR DOWNGRADING OF THE 
ACCREDITATION STATUS IS BASED."
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Sec. 10. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 7662 is hereby renumbered as
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Section 10 and amended to read as follows:
"Sec. [li] 10. Legal Education Fund. -There is hereby created 
a special endowment fund to be known as the Legal Education Fund,
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE FUND, which shall be USED 
EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND STRENGTHENING 
OF LEGAL EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY. THE FUND SHALL BE
under the control of the [Board] COMMISSION, and SHALL BE 
administered as a separate fund by the Social Security System (SSS), 
which shall invest the same with due and prudent regard to its 
solvency, safety and liquidity.
"The Legal Education Fund shall be [established out of, and 
maintained from, the amounts-appropriated pursuant to parograph 2,
Section 13 hereof,-ai3d] SOURCED from THE FOLLOWING: [sixty 
percent (60%) of the privilege tax paid by every lawyer effective Fiscal
Year 199d,]; (I) FEES AND CHARGES COLLECTED FOR
SERVICES RENDERED BY THE COMMISSION; (II) FINES AND 
PENALTIES CHARGED BY THE COMMISSION FOR VIOLATIONS
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OF THIS ACT AND RULES AND REGULATIONS ISSUED 
PURSUANT THERETO; AND (III) [and-from such] GRANTS, 
BEQUESTS, ENDOWMENTS, donations, legacies, [grants-in-aid] and 
other forms of contributions received by the [Board for the purposes of 
this Act] COMMISSION.
"Being a special endowment fund, only the interests earned on 
the Legal Education Fund shall be used exclusively for the purposes of 
this Act, [including] WHICH SHALL INCLUDE THE support for 
faculty development grants, professorial chairs, library AND 
FACILITY improvements, LEGAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS, 
and similar programs for the advancement of [law-teaching and 
education—m—aeeredited—law—schools] LEGAL EDUCATION: 
PROVIDED, THAT THE FUND SHALL BE UTILIZED EQUITABLY 
AMONG ALL REGIONS AND LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS: 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO 
PUBLIC LEGAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH SUPPORT PROGRAMS: 
PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT NO PORTION OF THE FUND OR 
INCOME THEREOF SHALL BE USED TO COVER THE 
OPERATIONAL OR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES OF THE 
COMMISSION.
"[The Fund shall also be used for the operation of the Board. 
For this purpose, an amount not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the
interest on the Fund shall be utilized.]
"THE ACTUAL AMOUNT TO BE USED FOR THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF SUPPORT PROGRAMS EVERY FISCAL 
YEAR SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION: 
PROVIDED, THAT SUCH AMOUNT SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY 
PERCENT (50%) OF THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INTEREST 
INCOME THAT ACCRUED FROM THE FUND DURING THE LAST
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THREE (3) FISCAL YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE 
CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
"The [Beard] COMMISSION, in consultation with the SSS, 
shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the collection, 
administration and utilization of the Fund."
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Sec. 11. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 7662 is hereby renumbered as
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Section 11 and amended to read as follows:
"Sec. [15] 11. Coverage. — The provisions of this Act shall 
apply to all [schools and colleges of-law-which arc presently under the 
supervision of the Department of Education, Culture--and-Sports.
Hereaftery-said supervision-shall be transferred-to-the-Board. Law
schools-----and-----colleges] EXISTING LEGAL EDUCATION
INSTITUTIONS AND THOSE which shall be established following 
the approval of this Act [shall likewise be covered]."
Sec. 12. A new Section 12 shall be inserted after the renumbered Section 11 
of Republic Act No. 7662 to read as follows:
"SEC. 12. TAX EXEMPTIONS. - ANY GRANT, BEQUEST, 
ENDOWMENT, DONATION AND CONTRIBUTION MADE TO THE 
COMMISSION OR TO THE FUND, WHETHER IN THE FORM OF 
CASH OR REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, SHALL BE EXEMPT 
FROM DONOR'S TAX AND THE SAME SHALL BE CONSIDERED 
AS ALLOWABLE DEDUCTIONS FROM THE GROSS INCOME IN 
THE COMPUTATION OF THE INCOME TAX OF THE DONOR, IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE NATIONAL 
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED."
Sec. 13. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 7662 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 13. Appropriation. - The amount [of One million pesos 
(P1,000,000) is hereby authorized to bo charged against the current
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year's appropriation of the Contingent Fund for the-initial expenses of
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the Board NECESSARY FOR THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION
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OF THIS ACT SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL GENERAL
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APPROPRIATIONS.
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[To form -part—of—the Legal Education Fund, there shall be
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appropriated annually, under the—budget of the Department of
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Education,-Culture and Sports, the amount of Ton million-pesos
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(P10,000,000)- for- a- period -often (10) years effective-Fiscal Year
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T9947]"
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Sec. 14. A new Section 14 is hereby inserted after Section 13 of Republic Act
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No. 7662 to read as follows:
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"SEC. 14. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. -
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WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS
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ACT, THE COMMISSION SHALL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
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IBP, PALS, THE UNIVERSITY OF THE 
PHILIPPINES LAW
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CENTER, AND OTHER 
STAKEHOLDERS CONCERNED,
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PROMULGATE THE RULES 
AND 
REGULATIONS 
TO
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EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT."
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Sec. 15. Transitory Provisions. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the
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incumbent Chairperson and Members of the Legal Education Board shall continue to
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perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive their corresponding
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salaries and benefits until the expiration of their respective terms.
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The determination of the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the
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Commissions shall, as far as practicable, take into account the tenure and seniority
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of the regular personnel of the Commission. Officials and employees who are
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separated from government service as a result of the revised organizational
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structure or staffing pattern of the Commission shall receive separation benefits to
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which they may be entitled under the applicable laws, rules and regulations:
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Provided, That those who are qualified to retire under existing retirement laws shall
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be allowed to retire and receive retirement benefits to which they may be entitled
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under applicable laws, rules and regulations.
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The rules and regulations previously issued by the Legal Education Board
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shall remain in full force and effect unless amended, modified, or repealed by
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subsequent issuances of the Commission.
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Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby
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shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders,
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issuances, and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and
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inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately following its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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