Volunteer lawyers eyed for legal aid mission

THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Davao Chapter is looking for more volunteer lawyers who will participate in its Legal Aid Mission for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Singapore slated January 2018.

IBP-Davao president lawyer Rogelio Largo said they are looking at 30 to 50 volunteer lawyers from the region who will join the mission for overseas workers in Singapore, for free. He added that it would be good for them to join.

"As we all know, some lawyers have been perceived to be a constructionist and materialistic but we would like the people to know that there are also many lawyers who are good natured. They have a heart for the service," Largo said.

He said part of the responsibility of the lawyers is to take the cases of the underprivileged and the defenseless. He added that the more lawyers will volunteer in the legal aid mission, public's perception of them will change.

The plan to hold a free legal aid mission in Singapore came about after members of IBP-Davao held its first mission in Hong Kong early this year. Largo said it was successful and they would like to do it again.

"Our program is quite ambitious, but it is very doable. Prior to the launching of the Legal Aid Warriors (Law) Project, we only have one volun-

teer from private practitioners, but now, we have increased it to 90 local lawyers," Largo said.

In a memorandum, IBPDavao Chapter recognized the need to improve and expand its legal aid program that aims to provide free legal consultations, dialogue and other legal services not only here in Davao region, but also in abroad.

Based on the rationale, the need to improve and expand the LAW is in view of the convergence of the increasing cost of legal presentation making it difficult for clients even middle income earners to hire lawyer for their legal concerns.

The LAW Project also envisions to provide the adequate and efficient free legal representation to deserving indigent client/pauper litigants in some cases. It also envisions to create volunteer lawyers.

LAW project is founded with principles that the IBP, where all lawyers are members, is mandated to help improve the administration of justice, which include access to justice through adequate representation for all. ICT