QC launches ‘virtual lawyer’ offering legal assistance amid quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — Residents of Quezon City will now have access to a “virtual lawyer” amid the coronavirus pandemic as the local government launched its online legal assistance program for those in need of legal resources, documents, and access to the city’s ordinances.

“Even during this pandemic, many of our residents need legal aid — from drafting legal and business forms and contracts, to understanding legal documents,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement on Sunday.

Belmonte likened the Quezon City Online Legal Assistance program, conducted in partnership with online legal resource MyLegalWhiz, to a “virtual lawyer ready to provide legal knowledge and assistance anytime.”

The mayor said the program would provide free 500 credits to residents of all barangays who will sign up on the website.

These credits, she explained, can then be used to access case summaries, drafts of legal documents, and ordinances.

According to Belmonte, the website also features a Legal Engineer Assistant or LEA, which is a digital research assistant that can guide users in drafting documents.

It can also refer residents to an attorney if they need one, she noted.

The website will also offer general knowledge on COVID-19, Atty. Joseph Dexter Feliciano, the man behind MyLegalWhiz, said.

“We know the people need reliable reference during this pandemic. Apart from providing the legal forms, we decided to put COVID-related information as well,” Feliciano said.

Residents may access the free legal assistance through the website, www.credits.mylegalwhiz.com.