In Cagayan de Oro City, Atty. Ernesto "Tonton" Neri is highly respected for his commitment to fairness and community service in the legal world. He holds teaching positions at both University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan. Additionally, he serves as the Director at the Xavier University Center for Legal Assistance, providing aid to individuals unable to afford legal representation.
Recently, on "Overtime," hosted by Atty. Oscar S. Moreno, Atty. Neri shared invaluable insights that shed light on key facets of legal education and access to justice.
Philippine Legal Landscape: Advancements in Student Practice and Legal Aid
Legal Education and Ongoing Learning
The importance of ongoing legal education, mandated by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). Lawyers must complete 36 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) every three years to stay abreast of legal developments.
Atty. Neri emphasized that being a lawyer doesn't stop after finishing law school. Lawyers need to keep learning because laws are always changing. This means they have to take extra classes every few years to stay updated. These classes cover new laws, recent court decisions, and other important legal stuff. By continuing to learn, lawyers stay sharp and can do their job better.
Legal Apprenticeship
The value of experiential learning for law students through apprenticeship programs supervised by seasoned practitioners. This training enhances students' comprehension of legal principles and also instills a sense of obligation to provide pro bono services to indigent individuals.
Atty. Neri stressed that the best way for law students to learn is by doing things, not just reading books. That's why he thinks it's essential for them to work with experienced lawyers. By working on real cases and seeing how the law works in action, students can understand it better. This hands-on experience helps aspiring lawyers develop practical skills and empathy, become better lawyers who care about fairness and helping others.
Unified Legal Aid Services
The pivotal role of the Unified Legal Aid Services in facilitating pro bono work. This initiative enables lawyers to offer their expertise free of charge to individuals in need, ensuring equitable access to legal assistance regardless of financial constraints.
Atty. Neri talked about how important it is for lawyers to help people who can't afford to pay for legal help. That's where Unified Legal Aid Services come in. These services let lawyers offer their help for free to people who need it but can't afford it. This ensures that everyone, no matter how much money they have, can get the legal help they need. It makes the legal system fairer for everyone.
In simple terms, Atty. Ernesto "Tonton" Neri explained that learning about the law and helping others go hand in hand. As students gain practical experience, they become better at working through the legal system and standing up for fairness. Additionally, Unified Legal Aid Services ensure that everyone can get the legal help they need, regardless of money, promoting fairness across society.
Comments