A proposed measure seeking to address the shortage of public attorneys assisting indigent Filipinos is being pushed in the House of Representatives.

According to RH Milky Rigonan, House Bill 5242, also known as the “Abogado Para sa Bayan Act,” was filed by Parañaque Representative Brian Yamsuan.

The measure seeks to provide full scholarships to qualified law students in exchange for two years of mandatory service in the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) or other government agencies after passing the Bar.

According to Yamsuan, the bill aims to help poor but deserving law students achieve their dreams of becoming lawyers while ensuring that the PAO has enough manpower to provide free legal services to the poor.

Citing 2024 data, Yamsuan noted that the PAO served over 15 million clients and handled more than 800,000 cases involving persons deprived of liberty.

However, the agency currently has only 2,672 public attorneys, each handling an average of 317 cases — a heavy workload that underscores the urgent need for additional legal manpower.