IBP Eastern Samar lauds SC decision to defer MLAS

By BRYAN M. AZURA
July 5, 2009

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  Officers and members of Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Eastern Samar Chapter voiced as one their relief and acclamation on the Supreme Court’s deferment to January 1, 2010 the implementation of the Rule on Mandatory Legal Aide Service (MLAS) compelling all lawyers to render yearly a minimum of 60 hours of free legal service to all indigent litigants.

Atty. Lionel Titong, IBP provincial president said that the decision of the SC’s decision to put back the implementation of MLAS is a very much welcome development to us here. “This matter is not just a concern to the law practitioners in the province but in the whole country,” he stressed.

The SC, in a resolution, said that the implementation of MLAS is deferred to January 1, 2010 from July 1, 2009.

According to Chief Justice Reynato Puno, the rule is aimed at enhancing “the duty of lawyers to society as agents of social change and to the courts as officers thereof by helping improve access to justice by the less privileged members of the society and expedite the resolution of cases involving them.”

Earlier, IBP-ES passed a resolution requesting the SC to defer the implementation of Bar Matter 2012, also called as MLAS. The association contended that there is a need to first consult its members in foras for the purpose of determining and collating their proposals and suggestions relative to MLAS. “I am glad the Honorable Justices heard and acted on our petition,” Titong said.

IBP National President Feliciano Bautista, in a letter to SC, said that while some IBP chapters already drafted implementing regulations of the rule but others have requested of its postponement to afford more time for consultations and wider discussion on a number of important issues among its members.

Meanwhile, Eastern Samar Governor Ben P. Evardone extended his congratulations to the newly installed officers of IBP-ES chapter during their induction rites held in this town. Sworn in as officers by RTC Judge Elvie Lim are Atty. Titong, President; Atty. Christopher Moscare, Vice President; Atty. May Mercado, Secretary; Atty. Eduardo Ang, Treasurer; Atty. Ma. Esmenne Azul, Auditor; and Atty. Aquilino Mejica, PRO.

Those who took their oath also as Board of Directors are Attys. Celestino Sabate, Rufilo Tan, Vicente Catudio, Juan Dulfo and Celestino Cabato.