Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by:  REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This proposed measure aims to address the growing need for legal professionals in the 
country who can provide assistance to underprivileged citizens involved in legal conflicts. 
To achieve this, a Legal Scholarship and Return Service Program will be established in 
state colleges, universities, and private higher educational institutions offering a Juris Doctor 
degree. This program will enable deserving students aspiring to become lawyers to pursue 
their dreams. 
The scholarship program is open to qualified students who are passionate about law 
but encounter financial hardships. In return for receiving the scholarship, recipients will 
commit to serving as public attorneys or public interest lawyers after successfully passing the 
bar examination to provide free legal assistance to individuals in legal conflict but could not 
afford to pay for the services of a lawyer. 
In light of the above, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.       
September 8, 2025
11:07 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by:  REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR. 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP AND RETURN SERVICE 
PROGRAM FOR DESERVING STUDENTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title – This Act shall be known as the “Legal Scholarship and 
Return Service Act of 2025”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy – It is the policy of the State to: 
a) Give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to
foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total
human liberation and development.
b) Protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and
shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.
c) Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs,
subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in
both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.
d) Ensure that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due
process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.
e) Guarantee that all persons have free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies
and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied them by reason of poverty.
f)
Secure that any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall
have the right to be informed of his right to remain silent and to have competent
and independent counsel preferably of his own choice.  If the person cannot afford
the services of counsel, he must be provided with one.
g) Make sure that no person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without
due process of law.
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h) Guarantee that all persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their 
cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies. 
 
SEC. 3.  Establishment of the Legal Scholarship and Return Service Program.  – A 
Legal Scholarship and Return Service Program (LSRS) shall be established in state colleges 
and universities (SUCs) or in partner private higher educational institutions (PHEIs) offering 
Juris Doctor degree, for qualified and deserving students.  The Commission on Higher 
Education shall identify one (1) partner Higher Educational Institution (HEI) in every region, 
upon consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Legal Education Board 
(LEB).  Provided, That priority in the selection of recipients for the LSRS Program shall be 
given to: 
a) 
Member of the Indigenous Cultural Communities / Indigenous Peoples; 
b) 
Those who belong to the marginalized sectors; and 
c) 
Applicants who come from cities/municipalities with limited number of 
practicing public interest lawyers. 
 
SEC. 4.   Coverage – The LSRS Program established under this Act shall be awarded 
to qualified and deserving Filipino students who want to pursue a degree in Juris Doctor.  The 
scholarship grant shall include the following: 
a) Full tuition and miscellaneous fees; 
b) Allowance for books and reading materials; 
c) Allowance for board and lodging; 
d) Allowance for transportation; and 
e) Bar review fees. 
 
SEC. 5.     Qualification Requirements – An applicant for the LSRS must be: 
 
a) A graduate of a bachelor’s degree recognized as a prerequisite for a Juris Doctor 
degree.  Provided, That qualified and deserving higher year levels of the Juris 
Doctor program shall be covered under this Act;  
 
b) Eligible to enroll in the SUC or PHEI by passing its entranced exam and has 
complied with all the requirements for admission. 
 
c) A Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines; 
 
d) Of good moral character; 
 
e) From middle-middle to low-income household. 


 
SEC. 6.   Condition of Scholarship –  Accepted students are subject to the following 
terms and conditions: 
 
a) Must sign the LSRS Agreement form containing the terms and conditions of the 
scholarship; 
 
b) Must carry a full load every semester; 
 
c) Must finish the degree within the prescribed time frame of the SUC or PHEI.  
Provided, That leave of absence may be allowed for valid and justifiable reasons 
by must still be subject to the retention policy of the SUC or PHEI; 
 
d) Must take the bar examination within a year after graduation; and 
 
e) Must render the return service as provided under Section 8 of this Act. 
 
SEC. 7.   Disqualification – The scholarship grant shall be terminated, and the scholar 
shall repay the full cost of the scholarship in case of the following circumstances: 
 
a) If the scholar accepts another scholarship from another government or private 
agency organization; 
 
b) If the scholar fails to meet the academic requirements to complete the course 
within the prescribed period set by the SUC or PHEI; 
 
c) If the scholar is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; and 
 
d) If the scholar commits gross misconduct to the detriment of the community and 
the reputation of the school. 
 
SEC. 8.   Mandatory Return Service – Upon passing the bar examination and signing 
the roll of attorneys, the scholar shall render a continuous service of five (5) years as a public 
attorney at the Public Attorney’s Office in a city or municipality within the region where the 
scholarship grant was obtained, or as a public interest lawyer at a legal aid organization 
approved by the Department of Justice. 
 
The area of assignment for the mandatory Return Service shall be determined by the 
PAO Regional Office. Provided, That a scholar mat opt to start the mandatory service 
immediately after graduation or awaiting the result of the bar examination. 
 
SEC. 9.    Sanctions –  A lawyer or a graduate who has availed the LSRS Program but 
fails or refuses to comply with the mandatory return service provided under this Act shall be 
required to pay tow (2) times the full cost of scholarship. 
 


SEC. 10.    Funding – The fund necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the annual budget of the SUC, CHED and the DOJ. 
 
 
SEC. 11.  Implementing Rules and Regulations – Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the CHED, DOJ and the Legal Education Board, in consultation with 
the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and reputable law schools, shall promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 12.  Separability Clause – If for any reason any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid 
and subsisting. 
 
 
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause.- All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
ordinances, rules and regulation, and other issuances or part thereof which are inconsistent 
with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
 
SEC. 14. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,