Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera (Facebook)

House Deputy Minority Leader Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Rep. Bernadette Herrera has hailed the Supreme Court (SC) for its innovative Unified Legal Aid Services (ULAS) program, which is meant to give free legal assistance to the poor. 

“The Supreme Court's initiative is a commendable step towards ensuring that our legal system serves all members of society, particularly those who are most in need,” the party-list lawmaker said in a statement Tuesday, June 11. 

The initiative, led by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, requires all lawyers to render at least 60 hours of pro bono legal aid services to the poor every three years during their professional careers. 

Herrera expressed strong support for the ULAS program, and highlighted its potential to significantly enhance access to justice for marginalized and underprivileged Filipinos. 

“I applaud Chief Justice Gesmundo and the Supreme Court for their commitment to judicial reform and social justice,” she added. 

The SC has been finalizing the rules for ULAS as part of its Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027. 

The final leg of regional consultations on these rules was conducted on May 31 at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City. Earlier consultations were carried out in the cities of Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, and Makati. 

ULAS is designed to provide mandatory pro bono legal aid services to qualified beneficiaries, including indigents, marginalized sector members, and non-governmental and non-profit organizations working on public interest cases. 

The proposed rules will require lawyers to render a minimum of 60 hours of pro bono services every three years, in line with the constitutional guarantee of adequate legal assistance for Filipinos. 

Gesmundo emphasized that the ULAS Rules aim to establish a unified and streamlined framework for legal aid services, ensuring full and effective access to justice for the indigent, underrepresented, and marginalized members of society. 

Herrera underscored the importance of this initiative in bridging the gap between the legal profession and the needs of the poor. 

“This program not only reinforces the duty of lawyers to serve the public but also strengthens the foundational principles of our justice system,” Herrera said.