EASTERN Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales congratulated the 14 graduates of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) College of Law who passed the 2025 Bar Examinations.

Gonzales urged the new lawyers to use their legal calling in the service of the people—particularly the marginalized—guided by integrity, compassion, and a firm commitment to justice.

“By passing the 2025 Bar Examinations, you have earned your place in the legal profession, and Eastern Samar takes pride in each one of you who now carries the title of attorney,” Gonzales said.

The lawmaker emphasized that the practice of law is not merely a profession but a public trust, carrying a moral duty to ensure that justice is accessible to all.

“We challenge our new lawyers to use their knowledge and skills to uplift the disadvantaged, defend the voiceless, and stand firmly on the side of fairness and truth,” he added.

Gonzales stressed that Eastern Samar needs lawyers guided not only by competence, but also by compassion and integrity.

“In a society where many still struggle to be heard, your calling is to make sure that justice is not reserved for the rich and powerful,” he said.

He also commended ESSU for its role in developing the province’s legal professionals, noting that the university continues to demonstrate that quality legal education can thrive outside major urban centers.

“ESSU has proven that local institutions can produce lawyers of national caliber,” Gonzales said.

As the new lawyers begin their professional journeys, Gonzales expressed hope that they would remain grounded in the values instilled by their families, mentors, and alma mater, and translate their success into meaningful public service.

ESSU—the lone state university in Eastern Samar—serves nearly 25,000 students, supported by 721 faculty members, with its main campus in Borongan City and campuses in Can-avid, Guiuan, Maydolong, and Salcedo, as well as extension units in Balangiga and Arteche.