Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles announced that a legal aid foundation he founded will expand its services by providing free legal consultations online.
“Nais po nating ipagbigay-alam na kasama si Atty. Gio Bautista ng programang Gio Need a Lawyer, available na ang Lakbay Hustisya Foundation para sa mga kababayan nating may nais ikonsulta na isyung legal,” Nograles said.
Lakbay Hustisya also plans on inviting legal experts to talk on various specialized topics.
Lakbay Hustisya Foundation, a legal aid trust fund established by the Harvard-trained lawyer, currently advocates for free legal consultations for poor inmates.
Lakbay Hustisya has partnered with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in an “e-dalaw” program that allows inmates to consult with their lawyers online through computers that they have donated to jails nationwide.
So far, the foundation has donated 40 computers to remote and highly congested jails.
The neophyte lawmaker said the decision to expand the services offered by the foundation came from a clamor from his constituents of the difficulty and cost of seeking legal advice even for small claims and civil issues.
“The existence of free legal clinics will hopefully help bridge the gap.”
“Marami-rami po ang mga dumudulog sa social media para ikonsulta ang mga problema nila. Naisip namin, potential learning experience na rin ito para sa mas marami pa nating kababayan lalo pa sa mas malawak na reach ng social media,” said Nograles.
The solon added that Lakbay Hustisya also plans on inviting legal experts to talk on various specialized topics.
He also urged Filipinos to take advantage of the opportunity provided by free and online legal services.
“Many of the legal issues faced by our kababayans are exacerbated by their hesitation to seek the help of lawyers because of the costs involved. The existence of free legal clinics will hopefully help bridge the gap and allow greater access to legal services.”