Some years ago, a security guard went viral after becoming a lawyer. Recently, he goes viral again after it was reported that he got appointed as the Chief Legal Officer for the BuCor (Bureau of Corrections).
Isn’t it amazing that from humble beginnings, he was able to reach this far up?
From Security Guard to Lawyer to Chief Legal Officer
Roy Lawagan hails from Sagada in the Mountain Province. As you might remember, he worked at the COA (Commission on Audit) office in La Trinidad, Benguet, while also juggling time for his studies to become a lawyer.
Lawagan wasn’t able to pass the bar exams in his first take, but like many others before him, he refused to give up. At the time, he had enrolled in a review center.
Some people might expect him to fail because he couldn’t focus 100% on his studies, knowing that he also juggles time with his job. However, this young man had his goal in mind – and he worked hard to reach for that dream.
For his second take during the 2015 bar exams, this determined former security guard studied on his own. Because he didn’t have a lot of money, he used the COA office library as his makeshift review center.
The self-study worked and he managed to reach his goal of becoming a lawyer.
As expected, Lawagan quit his job as security guard to work full time as lawyer at a Manila-based law firm.
His hard work paid off. In 2020, he was named as the Chief Legal Officer at the BuCor.
He shared these words of wisdom:
“Sa lahat ng tao, kahit sino man, magpursige kayo hanggang matupad nyo ang pangarap niyo. Pag nadapa kayo bangon agad, para maabot ang pangarap.”
(To everyone, no matter how you are, try your best until you fulfill your dreams. And if you stumble, get up so you can reach your dreams.)
What’s the Role of the BuCor?
The BuCor is part of the Philippines’ criminal justice system charged with the rehabilitation and custody of national offenders.