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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC to launch on March 3 digital platform on lawyers' free legal services to poor, underprivileged Filipinos

SC to launch on March 3 digital platform on lawyers' free legal services to poor, underprivileged Filipinos

Published Feb 25, 2026 10:43 am
The Supreme Court (SC) is set to launch on March 3 the Phase 1 of the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) portal, a centralized digital platform that will streamline lawyers’ reports and compliance with the mandatory delivery of free legal services to poor and underprivileged Filipinos.
Under the ULAS Rules, covered lawyers must render at least 60 hours of free legal services every three years to individuals who cannot afford adequate legal representation.
These services include representation in courts or quasi-judicial bodies, legal counseling, drafting of legal documents, developmental legal assistance, participation in legal outreach programs, and notarization of documents.
The SC said the mandate is anchored on Article III, Section 11 of the Constitution which guarantees free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies, and ensures that adequate legal assistance should not be denied to anyone by reason of poverty.
In a press briefer, the SC’s Office of the Spokesperson said that the program will introduce the key features of Phase 1, including the verification of registered organizations, the submission by registered organizations of their intent to aggregate or “pool” their compliance, and the accreditation of legal outreach programs and legal aid missions.
It said that registration in the ULAS portal will include secure authentication, account management, and profile setup.
Covered lawyers must first create in the Philippine Judiciary Platform an account which will serve as the entry point to the ULAS portal, the SC said. The launching of the portal will be livestreamed on the SC’s official social media accounts.
The SC said that the launching will feature instructional videos to navigate the Portal, and insights and best practices from lawyers on how to comply effectively with the ULAS requirement.
It also said that the public is also invited to view the livestreamed launch to learn how qualified beneficiaries can access the free legal services available through ULAS.
During the launch, the SC said the ULAS Office (ULASO) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Anti-Poverty Commission, Commission on Human Rights, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.
It said the four partner agencies will coordinate with ULASO in identifying and referring individuals who may be qualified as beneficiaries of free legal services.
SC Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, chairperson of the ULAS board, said the additional features in the portal, such as the logging of legal aid services rendered and the submission of applications for or attestations of exclusion, will be launched in later phases of development within this year.
Under ULAS Advisory No. 1, covered lawyers may start recording free legal aid services beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the start of the first compliance period, even before the ULAS Portal becomes operational. The first compliance period will end on Dec. 31, 2027.
The SC said that for more information on ULAS, the public may visit the ULAS Microsite at the SC website -- https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/.
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