CAGAYAN de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez pushed a measure that will provide free legal education to students in state universities and colleges with law programs.

In filing House Bill 10715 or the proposed Free Legal Education Act, Rodriguez said one specific area where there is a glaring need for reforms is the right of access of law students particularly those who lack the resources to quality legal education.

The measure mandates the establishment of Free Legal Education Program for deserving students in SUCs.

Under the bill, all SUCs with a law program duly registered by the Legal Education Board shall be qualified for the FLEP.

The Free Legal Education Program will cover tuition at the rate approved by the SUC governing board and other school fees but not exceeding P10,000 per semester; student registration fees; and library fees.

The lawmaker said that only 4,283 law students enrolled in Academic Year 2021-2022. Based on this, P70 million to 75 million is needed to effectively implement Free Legal Education in SUCs per academic year.