GMA signs law giving free legal assistance to poor clients

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has signed into law the Free Legal Assistance Act of 2010, which grants lawyers tax deductions for giving legal services to poor clients.

Mrs. Arroyo signed last Tuesday Republic Act 9999, authored by Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid.

The law grants lawyers up to 10 percent deduction from their annual taxable income to encourage them to render free legal services.

“Provided that the actual free legal services herein contemplated shall be exclusive of the minimum 60-hour mandatory legal aid services rendered to indigent litigants as required under the Rule on Mandatory Legal Aid Service for Practicing Lawyers, under BAR Matter No. 2012, issued by the Supreme Court,” the law states.

Lawyers and firms availing of the tax deductions may apply for certification from the Supreme Court, Department of Justice (DOJ) and Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) that the free services to be rendered are within the legal services as defined by the SC, and that the DOJ and PAO could not give the services to be provided by the private counsel.

Lapid thanked Mrs. Arroyo for enacting his proposal into law, and said the law would preclude the wrongful conviction of suspects just because they are poor and cannot afford the services of lawyers.

He said as a politician in Pampanga, he had witnessed the wrongful conviction of a poor litigant who became his inspiration to push for the passage of the Free Legal Assistance Act. – Paolo Romero