A Manila-based private law firm yesterday confirmed that its offer of free legal services here in Cebu City to the claimants of the victims of the ill-fated Princess of the Stars is true.
Lawyer Pedro Linsangan, head of Linsangan-Linsangan-Linsangan Law Firm, made the clarification in response to reports that the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter has condemned the announcement and are set to investigate the firm.
“We are legitimate and we have nothing to hide. We are just here to assist the families in their claims since they do not know much,” Linsangan said, adding that he is willing to meet at any time the IBP-Cebu City Chapter about the issue.
The IBP-Cebu City Chapter said: “We condemn the highly unethical and unprofessional act of client solicitation done by the persons choosing to hide in anonymity yet boldly publishing the alleged services offered to the surviving families of the Princess of the Stars sinking.”
Lawyer Gloria Ramos, in a text message sent to The FREEMAN, confirmed that the IBP-Cebu City chapter, headed by lawyer Noel Adlawan, will conduct an investigation of the ad placement in a newspaper, which the group said was a demeaning and a serious affront to the dignity and honor of the legal profession.
Linsangan however countered yesterday that the IBP-Cebu City may file and say anything against his firm because the association members look at his firm and lawyers as competitors in the field.
“But I dare them, has anyone in the IBP or any private practitioner offered free legal assistance to this mosty poor claimants? We are just here to perform what they failed to do,” Linsangan said.
Acceptance fee alone for private lawyers is already pegged at “five percent of the total claim of which the claimants obviously do not have,” Linsangan said, as he admitted that it even took him long before deciding to help after the tragedy last June 21.
The decision came when he visited the Public Attorneys Office and was told by a female supervisor that they have not extended legal assistance yet to the relatives of the victims.
“We are not trying to charge this people even one centavo and when we know that he or she is really an indigent, we extend even financial assistance,” said Linsangan who also boast of specializing in maritime laws and knowing some lawyers in Cebu involved also in the shipping industry.— Ferliza C. Contratista/RAE