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Ateneo Law hosts third-leg of Unified Legal Aid Service Regional Consultation

Ateneo Law hosts third-leg of Unified Legal Aid Service Regional Consultation

21 May 2024

ALS_ULAS — Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo (seated, second from right) and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa (seated, center), Rodil V. Zalameda (seated, right); and Jose Midas P. Marquez (seated, second from left) pose for posterity with the participants at the third leg of the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) Regional Consultations held on May 17, 2024 at the Ateneo Law School (ALS), Makati City. Joining them are SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting, Deputy Clerk of Court and Judicial Reform Program Administrator Atty. Laura C.H. Del Rosario, and Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Technology Officer Atty. Jed Sherwin G. Uy. Also in the photo are ALS Dean Jose Maria G. Hofileña, Atty. Sergio Ildefonso Felipe O. Pinlac of Puyat Jacinto & Santos, Atty. Carolyn Mercado of The Asia Foundation and Atty. Ray Paolo J. Santiago, Team Leader of Program and Partnerships Management Team and Team Leader of the Fostering Advancement of Inclusive and Rights-based (FAIR) Justice Program. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)

On 17 May 2024, the third-leg of the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) Regional Consultation was conducted at the Ateneo Law School. The ULAS is the Supreme Court’s latest initiative to create a robust legal aid program aimed at fulfilling the constitutional promise of ensuring that all Filipinos have access to adequate legal services. The ULAS Rules mandate that Philippine lawyers provide pro bono legal aid services to those who cannot afford them, focusing on indigents and marginalized groups.

Atty Jose Maria G Hofileña, Dean of the Ateneo Law School, welcomed participants and set the tone for the consultation.

Dr Moya Collett, Deputy Head of Mission from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), delivered a supportive message highlighting international cooperation.

Hon Ramon Paul L Hernando, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, provided an inspirational message to motivate and encourage attendees.

Hon Alfredo Benjamin S Caguioa, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and Chairperson of the Technical Working Group (TWG) responsible for drafting the ULAS Rules, offered the prefatory address, providing context and background for the initiative.

Atty Karl Arian A Castillo, a member of the TWG, outlined the proposed ULAS Rules, detailing the framework and expected impact.

Participants then engaged in breakout sessions to discuss, evaluate, and provide feedback on the proposed rules.

Atty Sergio Ildefonso Felipe O Pinlac, TWG member, summarized the key points from the breakout sessions and offered recommendations for moving forward.

Hon Rodil V Zalameda, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and Vice-Chairperson of the TWG, concluded the consultation with closing remarks, thanking participants and emphasizing the path ahead for the ULAS program.