EASTERN Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and 4Ps Partylist Rep. Marcelino Libanan have filed a measure seeking to strengthen the College of Law of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) and expand access to quality legal education, particularly for aspiring lawyers from underserved communities.

House Bill No. 7578 aims to provide comprehensive institutional and academic support to the ESSU College of Law in Borongan City.

The proposal includes the creation of regular faculty positions, upgrading of facilities and learning resources, and the provision of sustained funding to ensure compliance with standards set by regulatory bodies.

“The strengthening of ESSU’s College of Law is an investment in our people and our future. We need more lawyers who are not only competent and ethical, but also deeply committed to serving marginalized and underserved communities,” Gonzales said.

He added that the initiative seeks to form future lawyers who will not only excel in the profession but also help defend the voiceless, uphold justice, and contribute to governance and nation-building.

The move comes after ESSU College of Law marked a milestone in January, when 14 of its graduates passed the 2025 Bar Examinations—highlighting the institution’s growing contribution to producing competent lawyers from the regions.

“ESSU has shown that quality legal education can thrive outside major urban centers. By strengthening its College of Law, we are ensuring that more students from Eastern Samar and nearby provinces can pursue legal education without having to leave their communities,” Gonzales said.

The bill also seeks to address structural challenges faced by the law school, including the absence of permanent faculty positions, lack of a duly appointed dean, and limited budgetary support—issues that have affected academic planning and long-term development.

Once enacted, ESSU will be authorized to establish plantilla positions for qualified law professors, support faculty development, and upgrade classrooms, libraries, and research facilities with modern technologies and updated legal materials.

It also promotes the expansion of clinical legal education and legal aid programs, reinforcing the role of law students in providing assistance to disadvantaged sectors and improving access to justice in Eastern Samar and neighboring areas.