Acceptance Speech on behalf of the Law Scholars for the Legal Scholarship Program at the FLP Awards Ceremony held at the Manila Polo Club on September 16, 2026.
Former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, Madame First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, our distinguished Justices who are present here today, our trustees and members, our distinguished guests, my fellow scholars, our families, friends, and mentors, good evening.
It is a great honor to stand before you today on behalf of the twenty legal scholars of the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity.
I think all of us can agree that studying the law is not for the faint of heart.
It begins with the rather unfortunate discovery that one provision of the law can have several interpretations, and that words can have entirely different meanings. Fruit is not just something that grows out of your backyard what it becomes a legal issue, and consideration has nothing to do with being considerate. After four years, you begin to wonder if English was really English after all.
Then come the endless readings, the recitations that make you question your life choices, and examinations that test not only what you know, but also your ability to remain composed when your mind suddenly decides to go blank.
But somewhere between sleepless nights and merciless examinations, we begin to understand why the study of law is so fulfilling.
The law is not simply a collection of provisions and rules to be memorized. It is an instrument through which justice may be pursued, rights may be protected, and people, especially those who need it most, may be given a voice.
And this is why we are deeply grateful for this scholarship.
The Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity has given us more than the opportunity to pursue legal education. It has given us the privilege of learning the law with a deeper understanding of what it is meant to achieve.
Liberty and prosperity, and the rule of law are not merely ideals. They are principles that give direction to the kind of lawyers we hope to become.
As scholars, we recognize that this privilege also comes with a responsibility. We have a responsibility not only to represent the Foundation well, but to remain true to its identity and values.
Wherever the law takes us, we hope to use what we have learned to make a positive impact in our communities, to remember that being a lawyer is not simply about knowing the law, but about using it well and using it for others.
On behalf of the twenty scholars, I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity, our benefactors, and everyone who has supported us throughout this journey.
Thank you for believing in us, for investing in our education, and for reminding us that the privilege of studying the law is also a responsibility to serve.
We accept this scholarship with grateful hearts and with the hope that, our own work, we may one day help make liberty, prosperity, and the rule of law not merely ideals to be admired, but realities experienced by the people we serve.
Thank you very much.
