MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan filed Senate Bill No. 1844, or the Comprehensive Legal Education Reform Act, which seeks to create a Commission on Legal Education (CLED) to support law schools and future lawyers.

The proposed commission would strengthen the Legal Education Board (LEB) by regulating legal education institutions and promoting their growth through scholarships, grants, incentives, and other forms of institutional support.

The measure amends Republic Act No. 7662, the Legal Education Reform Act of 1993, which originally established the LEB to set standards for law schools, supervise legal education programs, and improve the quality of legal instruction nationwide.

As a lawyer, Pangilinan said the creation of the CLED would enhance the current framework by increasing administrative and budgetary capacity, clarifying jurisdiction, and ensuring operational continuity.

“The passage of this measure is necessary to carry out these reforms and ensure the continued development of lawyers who are knowledgeable, skilled, ethical, socially committed, and prepared to serve the nation with integrity,” he said.

Under the bill, the CLED would be tasked with formulating and implementing strategic plans, policies, and programs on legal education and research. It would also set and update standards for accrediting law schools and related programs, monitor their performance, and determine eligibility for incentives and subsidies.

The commission would review national standards in legal education to ensure alignment with international benchmarks, promoting quality and consistency across Philippine law schools.