Lawyers Urged: Give Free Services
Published in Today
(June 2000)
THE Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights has approved a resolution urging the Supreme Court to require successful bar examinees and practicing lawyers to render mandatory legal service to poor litigants in criminal cases.
Sen. Renato Cayetano, committee chairman, said the measure, once heeded by the High Court, would give life and meaning to the Constitutional, guarantee of the fight to counsel in criminal cases.
"Legal services have become to expensive and unaffordable to poor litigants," Cayetano lamented. "Many detainees are poor and could not post bail, let alone afford the services of lawyers while their cases are on trial."
"There is a compelling need to extend free legal aid to the poor so that those who have less in life will have more in law," Cayetano added.
He described as "inadequate the existing free legal services being offered by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and other groups of civic-minded lawyers.
"These groups provide their services strictly on a voluntary basis," the senator said.
He pointed out that the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) could not possibly-cope with the mounting criminal cases involving poor litigants.
"Due to lack of personnel and inadequate financial and logistical support, the PAO has been unable to properly handle all cases referred to it," Cayetano said, leading to delays in court proceedings, the clogging of court dockets and the overall slow delivery of justice.
Ten senators signed the cormmittee report on Senate Resolution 435, which was authored by Senate President Franklin Drilon and Cayetano himself.
Besides Drilon and Cayetanol, those who signed the report were Senate President Pro Tempore Blas Ople, Minority Floor Leader Teofisto Guingona Jr., Aquilino Pimintel Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile, Robert Barbers, Sergio Osmeña III, Rodolfo Biazon and Juan Flavier.
