“One must set personal standards but these should be realistic,” former Secretary of National Defense Gilberto (GIBO) Teodoro advised law students of Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion in Roxas City, Capiz. “So that there are no failed expectations as difficulties are part of law school.”

Teodoro, a lawyer and the 1989 Bar Topnotcher, was a special guest in the Persons and Family online class of Atty. Jomar Betita. Here, over seventy (70) students, lawyers, faculty and other guests engaged Teodoro in an informative exchange of views on legal education and profession outside Metro Manila.

The former Tarlac congressman gamely related his experiences as a law student and while preparing for the Bar Examinations both in the Philippines and New York, USA. Teodoro, who is from Paniqui in Tarlac, surprised not a few students when he spoke Hiligaynon, the dialect of the Ilonggo people.

“Studying law is developing good study habits. It is about discipline,” Teodoro said. “One must keep studying, researching and achieving.”

He continued, “You are the future of the legal profession in the public sector and private law practice.”

Teodoro, who studied law at the University of the Philippines and completed his Master of Laws degree at Harvard Law School, encouraged the students to serve our country if given the opportunity.

“The state of our justice system needs improvement,” Teodoro said. “Filipinos, especially the underprivileged, lack the means to defend themselves.”

The dialogue with the law students of Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion in Roxas City, Capiz is part of Teodoro’s continuing consultations with the country’s various sectors with the end in view of finding solutions to concerns and improving the Filipinos’ living conditions.