Lawyers urged to provide free services to poor

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Edgardo Angara told lawyers yesterday that they have the responsibility to provide legal services to the poor.

Speaking during the groundbreaking of the new tower of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Ortigas Center in Pasig, Angara said then Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion raised funds for legal aid when the IBP was established. 

“All of us at the Bar must remain conscious above all of our public responsibility,” he said. “We have to fulfill our duty to provide legal assistance to the needy of this country.”

Angara joined Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, officials from the IBP and representatives of the Ortigas family in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) explaining the build-operate-transfer deal between Ortigas and Co. Ltd. Partnership and the IBP.

The 22-story IBP Tower is expected to be built within the next two years.

Angara, IBP executive vice president in 1977, said his dream of a home for the IBP was realized through the generosity of the Ortigas family and others.

“Lindy Locsin designed the building without charging a single cent,” he said. “Attorney Lolong Lazaro persuaded Jun Cruz to allow the GSIS to loan the money for construction and Don Paquito Ortigas gave us two prime lots of 3,600 square meters. We can say that this building we have now was truly a gift of love.”