September 21, 2023

ATTY. RONELLA M. BALBIN-CONCEPCION

President
IBP La Union Chapter
2/F G.E. Antonino Memorial Hall
San Fernando City, La Union

Thru: ATTY. MYRA-DIWATA A. RIVERA-CAROY

Vice President and Legal Aid Committee Chairperson

Dear Atty. Balbin-Concepcion:

The College of Law of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) has been
providing access to basic law schooling to students in La Union and nearby provinces since
1982. Our humble college has produced indefatigable and dignified members of the legal
profession, most of whom are presently in practice in La Union and members of the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) La Union Chapter.

Since the First Semester of Academic Year 2022-2023, our students have been engaged in the
limited practice of law under our Clinical Legal Education Program as a requirement in Rules
138 and 138-A for taking the Bar Examinations. Their limited practice of law is under the
guidance of a supervising lawyer. This experiential, interactive, and reflective program aims
to provide law students with practical knowledge, skills and values necessary for the
application of the law, delivery of legal services and promotion of social justice and public
interest, especially to the marginalized, while inculcating in the students the values of ethical
lawyering and public service. This program is to be undertaken through an externship in the
courts, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and government offices.

We request from IBP La Union Chapter that we enter into a Memorandum of Agreement for
DMMMSU law students to have their externship in your offices or in the offices of chapter
members under their guidance and supervision, and are handling social justice or public
interest cases, in keeping with Section 25, Canon III of the Code of Professional Responsibility
and Accountability. We hope that our law students would be minded to serve the people of La
Union once they become full-fledged lawyers.

Should you have preliminary questions, you may reach us through the College of Law Dean
Honorio G. Buccat, Jr. at claw.mluc@dmmmsu.edu.ph.

We anticipate your favorable response on the matter and we look forward to working with you
in shaping future lawyers and paving the future path of the legal profession.

Very truly yours,

DR. EDUARDO C. CORPUZ

Chancellor