MANILA, Philippines - US Ambassador Philip Goldberg met with Palawan State University (PSU) president Jeter S. Sespeñe and students of the PSU School of Law during his official visit to Palawan last June 5. Concretized were plans for the university-based legal aid clinics providing free legal aid to indigent clients in marginalized communities, community empowerment activities including paralegal training to community leaders, organizing communities to advance legal advocacy, lobbying for law reforms and boosting the capability of law students through exposure and internship.
The Palawan State University school of law, awarded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as one of the top 10 performing law schools in the Philippines, qualified as a recipient of the US LEgal Aid Program (LEAP) under the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the United States Embassy-Manila. The positive commitment of educational leaders, eagerness to face new challenges, willingness to assume responsibility, readiness of physical facilities and financial capability are criteria long been sought after by the organizers to actualize this aspiration.
The dialogue between the US ambassador, law students and university leaders further clarified the importance of the peace-building efforts and community volunteerism.