By Farah G. Decano

 

THE Legal Education Board (LEB) is encouraging law schools to offer a subject focused on anti-corruption in government. The initiative aims to expose students to potential careers in good governance, policy formulation, corruption investigation, and the prosecution of offenders.

While existing courses like “Law on Public Officers” and “Administrative Law” cover similar ground, this new subject will emphasize the critical need for transparency and underscore that crimes against public trust carry severe consequences.

Kudos are due to LEB Chair Jason Barlis for this proactive initiative. He has been implementing significant, fact-based changes within the legal education system in a remarkably short time.

In parallel with this development, this writer has recommended to the LEB Chair a review of the ethical rules governing law professors.

This suggestion was prompted by several pieces of information regarding the alleged misconduct of some professors.

For instance, there are claims that a Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) professor (not affiliated with Lyceum Northwestern University) attempted to leverage influence by emphasizing the power of taking a judge to lunch. Whether the judge agreed is a matter for the Court Administrator to investigate.

Another circulating report involves a law professor noting the businesses of his students and then availing himself of complimentary services or merchandise from them.

It is hoped that the LEB will prioritize “cleaning up the pollutants” within legal education concurrently with its participation in the national effort to combat graft.

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Attention has recently been drawn to the proposed nuclear power plant project in Labrador, with reports indicating that Congressman Mark Cojuangco is determined to see this initiative become a reality.

Congressman Cojuangco is known for his political will and his track record of seeing difficult projects through to fruition. During his previous tenure as Congressman for the Fifth District of Pangasinan, he oversaw the challenging project of widening the highway in Urdaneta City. He remained unfazed when environmentalists pursued legal action over the removal of trees along the route.

Now representing the Second District, Congressman Cojuangco is the proponent of another significant and complex undertaking: the construction of a nuclear power plant in Labrador, Pangasinan. Consultations are currently underway with municipalities within his district.

Should the Labrador Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) enact an ordinance permitting the plant’s operation, which would then be forwarded to the provincial legislative body for approval, it is suggested that the latter body also consult with neighboring coastal local government units, including Binmaley, Dagupan City, and San Fabian.

Although Dagupan operates as an independent component city, separate from the direct administration of the provincial government, it is not immune to the potential effects of having a nuclear plant in close proximity. The voice of the people of Dagupan must also be heard.

Several critical questions regarding the project’s safety features must be addressed:

• Given that natural calamities are increasing in intensity annually and that Pangasinan is situated near the Manila Trench, can the proposed nuclear plant withstand a magnitude 10 earthquake?
• What is the plan for managing nuclear waste?
• Why have countries such as the U.S., U.K., Switzerland, Sweden, and Germany begun phasing out the use of this energy source?
• Why are Taiwan, Australia, Denmark, Greece, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia officially opposed to hosting such facilities?
• Specifically, what kind of nuclear reactor is planned for establishment in Pangasinan?

The respective Chairs of the Committee on Environment and the Committee on Infrastructure in the Dagupan City Council are urged to thoroughly prepare their recommendations to the plenary.