The Supreme Court of the Philippines has introduced a new requirement mandating that all lawyers provide a minimum of 60 hours of free legal assistance to underprivileged citizens every three years. This policy, managed under the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS), aims to bridge the significant gap in access to justice for those unable to afford professional legal representation. Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa explained that the initiative is designed to better connect vulnerable Filipinos with qualified legal counsel. To facilitate compliance, the ULAS rules allow law firms, corporations, and various legal organizations to aggregate the pro bono hours contributed by their individual members. This systematic approach is intended to ensure that legal support reaches those who need it most, reinforcing the commitment of the legal profession to public service and equitable access to the judicial system.
Source : The Manila Times
Photo : The Manila Times
