Welcome to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Website

ROSARIO T. SETIAS-REYES
National Director for Legal Aid

One of the three objectives of the IBP is to "enable the Bar to discharge its responsibility more effectively." It is largely through the National Committee on Legal Aid (the "NCLA") that the IBP carries out this objective. The NCLA operates and manages the IBP Legal Aid Program which is also known as the "Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion Legal Aid Program" in honor of the first NCLA Chairman. Currently headed by Atty. Vicente M. Joyas, the present NCLA Chairman and Governor for the IBP Southern Luzon the NCLA administers and coordinates the 85 local aid committees all over the Philippines. ( Each of the 83 IBP Chapters has its own local or chapter legal aid committee.) The National Director of the Nationwide network of local legal aid committees is Atty. Rosario T. Setias-Reyes. Basically, the IBP Legal Aid Program is divided into the Traditional Legal Aid and the Developmental Legal Aid Programs.
The projects and activities of the NCLA under the Traditional Legal Aid Program.

1. Legal Counseling

The NCLA provides free counsel and advice to the poor - - the less fortunate members of our society - - the less fortunate members of our society - - who cannot afford to consult or hire the services of a lawyer and who qualify as recipient of free legal assistance ( the "Beneficiaries"). It also drafts the necessary documentation required by or from the Beneficiaries.

2. Legal Representation

A lawyer from the NCLA or a local legal aid committee represents Beneficiaries before courts, quasi-judicial or administrative bodies, free of charge. The NCLA uses the double "M" tests in determining whether or not an applicant for free legal assistance is qualified to be a Beneficiary. The first "M" is MEANS. For an applicant to qualify, he/she must earn less than P14,000.00 annually if residing in Metro Manila or less than P10,000.0, if residing outside Metro Manila. The second "M" stands for MERIT. The cause of action of the applicant must be meritorious or have legal basis. Applicants for free legal assistance can come to the NCLA offices in the fourth floor of the IBP Building in Doña Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig City during office hours from Monday to Friday. They can also go directly to any of the 83 local legal aid committees. Beneficiaries coming from the NCLA offices are normally referred to the local legal aid committee of the province or city where the cases have their strongest nexus or connection. The NCLA, however, have the option to directly handle cases of national importance or significant social impact. The members of the House of Delegates are the only qualified voters for the election of the Board of Governors.

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