Group to offer free legal consultations online

MANILA, Philippines — A legal aid foundation will offer free consultations online to help those worried about financial costs involved in seeking legal services.

Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles said the free legal consultation online will be offered by the Lakbay Hustisya Foundation, a legal aid trust fund mainly advocating for free consultations for poor inmates.

“Marami-rami po ang mga dumudulog sa social media para ikonsulta ang mga problema nila,” Nograles said in a statement.

“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,” the lawmaker added.

Nograles added that Lakbay Hustisya also plans on inviting legal experts to talk on various specialized topics as he urged Filipinos to take advantage of the 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,” Nograles said.

The foundation, which the lawmaker founded, earlier donated 40 computers to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to aid in its “e-dalaw” program amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This allowed inmates not only to communicate with their relatives but with their lawyers as well.

KGA