Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 10878

Introduced by: REP, SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposed measure aims to respond to the emerging need for law professionals in
the country who will provide legal assistance to underprivileged citizens in conflict with the
law

To do so, a Legal Scholarship and Return Service Program shall be established in State
Colleges and Universities and in private Higher Educational Institution offering Juris Doctor
degree. This would enable deserving students who wish to become lawyers to realize their
dreams.

This scholarship program is open to qualified and deserving students pursuing to be a
lawyer but are financially incapacitated. In retum for the scholarship given, the grantee, upon
passing the bar examinations, shall render service as a public attomey or as public interest
lawyer.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

SALVABGOR\A. PLEYTO, SR.


Republic of the Philippines
OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 10878

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 2024”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy — It is the policy of the State to:

a)

b)

°)

4)

8)

Give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports 10
foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total
human liberation and development.

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.

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.

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.

Guarantee that all persons have free access to the courts and q
and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied them by reason of poverty.

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. Ifthe person cannot afford
the services of counsel, he must be provided with one,



2) Make sure that no person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without
due process of law.

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) oF 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

©) 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;
©) Allowance for board and lodging;

4) Allowance for transportation; and

¢) 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;

) Eligible to enroll in the SUC or PHEI by passi
complied with all the requirements for admission.

its entranced exam and has

©) A Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines;

4) 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;

©) 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;

4) Must take the bar examination within a year after graduation; and
) 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:

¢) 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
attomey 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
{ails or refuses to comply with the mandatory retum 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 subsist

__ 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.