Manila - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has teamed up with the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS) to extend free legal services to more Filipinos, following a new agreement signed on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the partnership is a significant step in the government's commitment to ensuring that no Filipino is left behind as the nation pursues progress under President Bongbong Marcos's "Bagong Pilipinas" initiative. The memorandum of agreement, signed by Remulla and PALS president Teodoro Pastran, aims to enhance the reach of legal services across different social strata by leveraging the capabilities of law schools nationwide.
Under the terms of the agreement, the DOJ Action Center (DOJAC) will refer clients who do not qualify as indigents, or who are otherwise ineligible for services from the Public Attorney's Office, to law schools with legal aid clinics. This initiative is intended to expand access to justice and support the training of law students by providing them with practical experience and skills through enhanced internship and externship programs.
PALS has committed to accepting these referrals and will also promote the DOJ's internship programs among its member schools. If PALS is unable to accommodate a referral, it will further endorse these cases to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or other lawyers. Both parties will also collaborate on jail decongestion initiatives, focusing on improving convicts' access to legal services.
This partnership is set to be reviewed six months after its implementation, but it will remain in effect until explicitly revoked by mutual agreement between the DOJ and PALS.