Actor-turned-politician eyes law degree

MANILA, Philippines - It’s back to school for Quezon City fifth district Councilor Anjo Yllana.

“It is my childhood dream to take up law,” Yllana, a former Parañaque vice mayor who ran for a post in Quezon City last year, said in a recent interview with The STAR.

“I enrolled in evening classes at the New Era University (College of Law),” he added, saying his regular classes will start in August but he has already attended introduction to law lectures.

While he admitted that his decision to enroll in law school is partly work-related, Yllana – now 46 – was quick to clarify that he would not seek higher office, at least in the next two elections.

“I want to finish my three terms as councilor (if my constituents would re-elect me),” he said. “Let’s see (what will happen) in 2022.”

Yllana, who has a business management degree, said he had long considered going back to law school, but he only had the opportunity to do so this year.

“I don’t want to grow old and regret that I did not try (fulfilling my childhood dream),” he said.

Yllana added that he also sees himself being a Public Attorney’s Office lawyer sometime in the future.

Inspiration

The councilor said he also received positive response from his peers when they learned of his decision to enroll in law school.

“Unintentionally, I feel that I have become an example for a lot people,” he said. “I hope that I would become an inspiration to others, especially to the out of school youth.”

He said he also wants to set an example to professionals who still aspire to realize their childhood dreams.

Yllana said that while being a lawyer is not a requirement for legislators, he said he wants to learn more about the law as their mandate concerns legislations and crafting of new measures.

“I want to be more familiar (with legal matters), particularly with criminal law, the family code and the Constitution,” he said.