On Mandatory Free Legal Aid": Objections from IBP Cebu City, province continue

CEBU, Philippines - Lawyers’ groups both from Cebu City and Cebu Province continue to air their opposition to the plan to compel them to render a specific number of hours as free legal aid.

For the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City and Cebu Province Chapters, giving free legal aid should be voluntary on their part and not mandatory as proposed.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona said last June 14 that he plans to provide the marginalized sector with more access to justice by promulgating the Rule on Mandatory Legal Aid Service for Practicing Lawyers, which imposes a minimum number of hours every year of free legal aid for indigents.

 The IBP plans to have a press conference this morning in front of the Palace of Justice to express their objections.

In a joint resolution, the IBP Cebu City and Cebu Province state that “making it a mandatory requirement will not serve the purpose of giving more access to justice, as it will instead spawn litigations and clog court dockets and other related concerns.”

They said that giving 60 hours of free legal service annually may be morally laudable, but making it compulsory would violate freedom from involuntary servitude.

Clerks of courts and IBP legal aid chairpersons could not possibly cope with the administrative responsibilities such as monitoring and issuance of certificates of compliance.

 If implemented, the plan would also cause delay in the performance of their work, they added. The mandatory penalty of P40,000 should also be made a voluntary donation, according to the lawyers.   (FREEMAN NEWS)