LEGAL INSIGHTS
By Atty. Katherine Panguban
Most of them were former law students who worked with me in our legal clinics at Adamson Law, especially during the Feast Day of St. Vincent. From urban poor communities in Manila to relocation sites in Valenzuela, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Laguna, they experienced firsthand how to explain the law in simple terms so that people could use it to protect their basic human rights.
At that time, my subjects were integrated into CLEP: Legal Counseling, Human Rights, and Practicum. Today, I still work with them during our annual St. Vincent Day Legal Clinic, but this time, they return as volunteer lawyers, together with our current CLEP Law Student Practitioners.
Habang iniisa-isa ng mga LSPs after the clinic ang mga things-to-do sa mga cases as per advice ng mga volunteer lawyers na ito, I can’t help but think na, shocks ilang years na rin pala talaga ang lumipas. Kasi ang malala pa, may part pa rin sa akin na parang “naiwan” sa panahong iyon na sila ang mga LSPs na sobrang hands on sa preps at may hawak na case intake forms on the day before the St. Vincent Day Legal Clinic habang nagreresearch na sa kung ano ang sasabihin nila sa clients. As exhibit A nga, “sinita” ko si Atty. Rizza Namuag at Atty. Shiela Marie Edubas nung pumipirma sila sa attendance for lawyers.
Pero ayun, ang ilan sa mga nakasama namin kanina sa Legal Clinic ay mga naging classmates ko o higher batches sa akin. Indeed, from Vincentian law students to Vincentian lawyers, may the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul continue to guide us all in doing service to the poor and marginalized.
Photo credit: Atty. Joie Monedo
