IBP TO OFFER FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF PRINCESS OF THE STARS TRAGEDY
July 3, 2008

PRESS STATEMENT

3 July 2008

INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES TO OFFER FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF PRINCESS OF THE STARS TRAGEDY

Integrated Bar of the Philippines National President Feliciano M. Bautista said today that after conferring with the IBP National Board of Governors, the lawyers’ organization would be offering free legal assistance to the relatives of the victims of the Princess of the Stars sea tragedy.
“We noticed that the progress of the assistance being offered to the victims’ relatives is quite slow, that’s why we agreed among the national officers that the IBP needs to step in and offer whatever we can in terms of legal assistance. Now that efforts at immediate rescue of survivors are being finished, we go to the next level of addressing the legal issues concerning compensation and liability,” Bautista noted.
“What is important is that free legal assistance is extended to the victims. The IBP’s National Committee on Legal Aid (NCLA) is ready and willing to do that job. The victims need whatever help they can. Some sectors may offer prayers or financial assistance, but the IBP is most able to provide advice and expertise on legal matters because that is our field.”
Bautista advised that victims’ relatives can go directly to the IBP NCLA’s office at the fourth floor of the IBP Building at Julia Vargas Avenue in Ortigas or call 6313013. “We can work faster if the relatives are ready with all the important and documents with them such as proof of identification and the like,” he added.