SENATOR Manuel “Lito” Lapid has filed a measure establishing a legal scholarship and return service program for deserving students.

In Senate Bill 1520, or the proposed Abogado Para sa Bayan Act, Lapid stressed that access to justice is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.

Yet in many areas of the country, access to justice remains out of reach due to the persistent shortage of lawyers in government service.

The bill seeks to address this gap through the establishment of the Legal Scholarship and Return Service (LSRS) Program, which will provide financial assistance to deserving law students in exchange for a mandatory period of public service after passing the Bar.

“By supporting their education and linking it to a commitment to serve, the measure ensures a steady supply of competent, service-oriented legal professionals for the government and for communities in need,” Lapid said in his explanatory note.

The LSRS Program will cover tuition and other school fees, allowances for books and Bar review expenses, and other forms of support.

In return, scholars will render at least two years of legal service in government agencies, including public legal offices, prosecution services, and institutions that provide legal aid to the underprivileged, public school teachers, health workers, and uniformed personnel.

Beyond providing scholarships, Lapid said the measure strengthens public legal institutions, enhances the delivery of justice, and promotes a culture of public service within the legal profession.