Re: Proposed Rule on Mandatory Legal Aid Service for Practicing Lawyers ( <--!02172009-->B.M. No. 2012 )

February 17, 2009

[B.M. No. 2012]

 

Sirs/Mesdames :

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of the Court En Banc dated February 17, 2009

"B.M. No. 2012 — RE: PROPOSED RULE ON MANDATORY LEGAL AID SERVICE FOR PRACTICING LAWYERS.

The effectivity of the Rule on Mandatory Legal Aid Service (Rule) on July 1, 2009 is conditioned on the publication of the Rule and its implementing regulations in two newspapers of general circulation. In this connection, Section 9 of the Rule authorized the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), through the National Committee on Legal Aid (NCLA), to recommend the regulations for implementing the Rule, particularly on the determination of who constitute "practicing lawyers", what constitute "legal aid cases" and what administrative procedures and financial safeguards are necessary for the proper enforcement of the Rule. The IBP was mandated to coordinate with the various chapters in crafting the proposed implementing regulations which, upon approval by the IBP Board of Governors, shall be submitted to this Court for final approval.

WHEREFORE, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, through the National Committee on Legal Aid, is hereby directed to promptly coordinate with the various chapters in drafting the regulations for implementing the Rule on Mandatory Legal Aid Service. It is also directed to present the draft implementing regulations to the members of the bar during the 12th National Convention of Lawyers on March 26 to 28, 2009 in a session specifically devoted to that purpose. It is further directed to furnish all IBP chapters with a copy of the draft not later than March 30, 2009. The chapters shall then submit their comments on the draft not later than April 30, 2009. Voluntary organizations of lawyers may also submit their comments on the draft within the same period. SECATH

The NCLA shall submit the final draft for approval of the IBP Board of Governors not later than May 15, 2009. The final draft, as approved by the IBP Board of Governors, shall then be submitted not later than May 25, 2009 for the final approval of this Court."

Ynares-Santiago & Tinga, JJ., on official leave.

Velasco, Jr., J., on official business. (adv144)

Very truly yours,

 

(SGD.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMAClerk of Court

Published in The Philippine Daily Inquirer on February 14, 2009.