RE: REQUEST OF A.M. No.

08-11-7-SC
NATIONAL COMMITTEE
ON LEGAL AID
[1]
TO EXEMPT
LEGAL AID CLIENTS FROM
PAYING FILING, DOCKET
AND OTHER FEES.
On September 23, 2008 the Misamis Oriental Chapter of the Interate! "ar of the #hilippines $I"#%
prom&late! 'esol&tion No. 2(, series of 2008.
)2*
+he resol&tion re,&este! the I"#-s National Committee on .eal
Ai!
)3*
$NC.A% to as/ for the e0emption from the pa1ment of filin, !o2/et an! other fees of 2lients of the leal ai!
offi2es in the 3ario&s I"# 2hapters. 'esol&tion No. 2(, series of 2008 pro3i!e!4

'5SO.6+ION NO. 2(, S5'I5S O7 2008

'5SO.6+ION O7 +85 I"#9MISAMIS O'I5N+A. C8A#+5' 7O' +85 I"# NA+IONA.
.5:A. AI; O77IC5 +O '5<65S+ +85 CO6'+S AN; O+85' <6ASI-=6;ICIA.
"O;I5S, +85 #8I.I##IN5 M5;IA+ION C5N+5' AN; #'OS5C6+O'-S O77IC5S +O
5>5M#+ .5:A. AI; C.I5N+S 7'OM #A?IN: 7I.IN:, ;OC@5+ AN; O+85' 755S
INCI;5N+A. +O +85 7I.IN: AN; .I+I:A+ION O7 AC+IONS, AS O'I:INA.
#'OC55;IN:S O' ON A##5A..

A85'5AS, Se2tion 1, Arti2le I of the :&i!elines :o3ernin the 5stablishment an!
Operation of .eal Ai! Offi2es in All Chapters of the Interate! "ar of the #hilippines $otherBise
/noBn as )C*:&i!eline)s* on .eal Ai!)C*% pro3i!es4 Legal aid is not a matter of charity. It is a
means for the correction of social imbalances that may often lead to injustice, for which reason,
it is a public responsibility of the Bar. The spirit of public service should therefore unde[r]ly all
legal aid offices. The same should be so administered as to give maimum possible assistance to
indigent and deserving members of the community in all cases, matters and situations in which
legal aid may be necessary to forestall injustice.

A85'5AS, Se2tion 2 of the same pro3i!es4 In order to attain the objectives of legal
aid, legal aid office should be as close as possible to those who are in need thereof ! the masses.
"ence, every chapter of the IB# must establish and operate an ade$uate legal aid office.

A85'5AS, the .eal Ai! Offi2e of the I"#9Misamis Oriental Chapter has lon been
operational, pro3i!in free leal ser3i2es to n&mero&s in!ient 2lients, thro&h the 2hapter-s
members Bho ren!er 3ol&nteer ser3i2es in the spirit of p&bli2 ser3i2eD

A85'5AS, the 2o&rts, ,&asi-E&!i2ial bo!ies, the 3ario&s me!iation 2enters an!
prose2&tor-s offi2es are 2olle2tin fees, be the1 filin, !o2/et, motion, me!iation or other fees in
2ases, be the1 oriinal pro2ee!ins or on appealD

A85'5AS, I"# .eal Ai! 2lients are ,&alifie! &n!er the same in!ien21 an! merit
tests &se! b1 the #&bli2 Attorne1-s Offi2e $#AO%, an! Bo&l! ha3e ,&alifie! for #AO assistan2e,
b&t for reasons other than in!ien21, are !is,&alifie! from a3ailin of the ser3i2es of the #AO,
li/e the e0isten2e of a 2onfli2t of interests or 2onfli2tin !efenses, an! other similar 2a&sesD

A85'5AS, #AO 2lients are a&tomati2all1 e0empt from the pa1ment of !o2/et an!
other fees for 2ases, be the1 oriinal pro2ee!ins or on appeal, b1 3irt&e of the pro3isions of
Se2tion 1F9; of '.A. G(0F $#AO .aB%, Bitho&t the nee! for the filin of an1 petition or motion
to !e2lare them as pa&per litiantsD

A85'5AS, there is no similar pro3ision in an1 s&bstanti3e laB or pro2e!&ral laB
i3in I"# .eal Ai! 2lients the same benefits or pri3ilees enEo1e! b1 #AO 2lients Bith respe2t
to the pa1ment of !o2/et an! other fees before the 2o&rts, ,&asi-E&!i2ial bo!ies an! prose2&tor-s
offi2esD

A85'5AS, the 2olle2tion of !o2/et an! other fees from the I"# .eal Ai! 2lients
poses an a!!itional strain to their ne0t to non-e0istent finan2esD

A85'5AS, the ,&arterl1 alloBan2e i3en b1 the National .eal Ai! Offi2e to the I"#
Misamis Oriental Chapter is ins&ffi2ient to e3en 2o3er the in2i!ental e0penses of 3ol&nteer leal
ai! laB1ers, m&2h less ansBer for the pa1ment of !o2/et an! other fees 2olle2te! b1 the 2o&rts,
,&asi-E&!i2ial bo!ies an! prose2&tor-s offi2es an! me!iation fees 2olle2te! b1 the #hilippine
Me!iation CenterD

NOA +85'57O'5, on motion of the "oar! of Offi2ers of the I"#9Misamis Oriental
Chapter, be it resol3e! as it is hereb1 resol3e!, to mo3e the I"# National .eal Ai! Offi2e to
ma/e the ne2essar1 re,&ests or representations Bith the S&preme Co&rt, the #hilippine Me!iation
Center, the ;epartment of =&sti2e an! the National #rose2&tion Ser3i2e an! other ,&asi-E&!i2ial
aen2ies to effe2t the rant of a li/e e0emption from the pa1ment of filin, !o2/et an! other fees
to the I"# .eal Ai! 2lients as that enEo1e! b1 #AO 2lients, toBar!s the en! that I"# .eal Ai!
2lients be a&tomati2all1 e0empte! from the filin of the abo3ementione! feesD

'5SO.H5; 76'+85', that 2opies of this 'esol&tion be f&rnishe! to S&preme Co&rt
Chief =&sti2e 8onorable 'e1nato S. #&no, I"# National #resi!ent 7eli2iano M. "a&tista, the I"#
"oar! of :o3ernors, Se2retar1 of =&sti2e 8on. 'a&l M. :onIaleI, the National S&per3isor of the
#hilippine Me!iation Center, the National .abor 'elations Commission, the Ci3il Ser3i2e
Commission an! other ,&asi-E&!i2ial bo!ies an! their lo2al offi2esD

'5SO.H5; 7INA..? to mo3e the I"# "oar! of :o3ernors an! National Offi2ers to
ma/e the ne2essar1 representations Bith the National .eislat&re an! its members to effe2t the
filin of a bill before the 8o&se of 'epresentati3es an! the Senate rantin e0emption to I"#
.eal Ai! 2lients from the pa1ment of !o2/et, filin an! or other fees in 2ases before the 2o&rts,
,&asi-E&!i2ial aen2ies an! prose2&tor-s offi2es an! the me!iation 2enters.

;one this 23
r!
!a1 of September 2008, Caa1an ;e Oro Cit1.

6nanimo&sl1 appro3e! &pon motion se3erall1 se2on!e!.
)(*
+he Co&rt note! 'esol&tion No. 2(, series of 2008 an! re,&ire! the I"#, thro&h the NC.A, to 2omment
thereon.
)J*
In a 2omment !ate! ;e2ember 18, 2008,
)F*
the I"#, thro&h the NC.A, ma!e the folloBin 2omments4

$a% 6n!er Se2tion 1F-; of 'A
)7*
G(0F, 2lients of the #&bli2 Attorne1s- Offi2e $#AO% are e0empt from the
pa1ment of !o2/et an! other fees in2i!ental to the instit&tion of a2tion in 2o&rt an! other ,&asi-
E&!i2ial bo!ies. On the other han!, 2lients of leal ai! offi2es in the 3ario&s I"# 2hapters !o not
enEo1 the same e0emption. I"#-s in!ient 2lients are a!3ise! to litiate as pa&per litiants &n!er
Se2tion 21, '&le 3 of the '&les of Co&rtD

$b% +he1 are f&rther a!3ise! to s&bmit !o2&mentar1 e3i!en2e to pro3e 2omplian2e Bith the re,&irements
&n!er Se2tion 21, '&le 3 of the '&les of Co&rt, i.e., 2ertifi2ations from the barangay an! the
;epartment of So2ial Aelfare an! ;e3elopment. 8oBe3er, not onl1 !oes the pro2ess in3ol3e
some e0pense Bhi2h in!ient 2lients 2o&l! ill-affor!, 2lients also la2/ /noBle!e on hoB to o
abo&t the te!io&s pro2ess of obtainin these !o2&mentsD

$2% Altho&h the I"# is i3en an ann&al leal ai! s&bsi!1, the amo&nt it re2ei3es from the o3ernment is
barel1 eno&h to 2o3er 3ario&s operatin e0pensesD
)8*

$!% Ahile ea2h I"# lo2al 2hapter is i3en a ,&arterl1 allo2ation $from the leal ai! s&bsi!1%,
)G*
sai!
allo2ation 2o3ers neither the in2i!ental e0penses !efra1e! b1 leal ai! laB1ers in han!lin leal
ai! 2ases nor the pa1ment of !o2/et an! other fees 2olle2te! b1 the 2o&rts, ,&asi-E&!i2ial bo!ies
an! the prose2&tor-s offi2e, as Bell as me!iation fees an!

$e% Consi!erin the aforementione! fa2tors, a !ire2ti3e ma1 be iss&e! b1 the S&preme Co&rt rantin
I"#-s in!ient 2lients an e0emption from the pa1ment of !o2/et an! other fees similar to that
i3en to #AO 2lients &n!er Se2tion 1F-; of 'A G(0F. In this 2onne2tion, the S&preme Co&rt
pre3io&sl1 iss&e! a 2ir2&lar e0emptin I"# 2lients from the pa1ment of trans2ript of stenoraphi2
notes.
)10*

At the o&tset, Be la&! the Misamis Oriental Chapter of the I"# for its effort to help impro3e the
a!ministration of E&sti2e, parti2&larl1, the a22ess to E&sti2e b1 the poor. Its 'esol&tion No. 2(, series of 2008 in fa2t
e2hoes one of the noteBorth1 re2ommen!ations !&rin the %orum on Increasing &ccess to 'ustice spearhea!e! b1
the Co&rt last 1ear. In prom&latin 'esol&tion No. 2(, the Misamis Oriental Chapter of the I"# has effe2ti3el1
performe! its !&t1 to Cparti2ipate in the !e3elopment of the leal s1stem b1 initiatin or s&pportin efforts in laB
reform an! in the a!ministration of E&sti2e.K
)11*
Ae noB mo3e on to !etermine the merits of the re,&est.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE:
MAKING AN IDEAL A REALITY
A22ess to E&sti2e b1 all, espe2iall1 b1 the poor, is not simpl1 an i!eal in o&r so2iet1. Its e0isten2e is
essential in a !emo2ra21 an! in the r&le of laB. As s&2h, it is &arantee! b1 no less than the f&n!amental laB4

Se2. 11. Free !!e"" #$ #%e !$&r#" an! ,&asi-E&!i2ial bo!ies '( (e)&#e *e+*
"","#'!e "%** '$# -e (e',e( #$ '. /er"$' -. re"$' $0 /$1er#..
)12*
$emphasis s&pplie!%
+he Co&rt re2oniIes the riht of a22ess to E&sti2e as the most important pillar of leal empoBerment of the
marinaliIe! se2tors of o&r so2iet1.
)13*
Amon others, it has e0er2ise! its poBer to Cprom&late r&les 2on2ernin the
prote2tion an! enfor2ement of 2onstit&tional rihtsK
)1(*
to open the !oors of E&sti2e to the &n!erpri3ilee! an! to
alloB them to step insi!e the 2o&rts to be hear! of their plaints. In parti2&lar, in!ient litiants are permitte! &n!er
Se2tion 21, '&le 3
)1J*
an! Se2tion 1G, '&le 1(1
)1F*
of the '&les of Co&rt to brin s&its in forma pauperis.
+he I"#, p&rs&ant to its eneral obEe2ti3es to Cimpro3e the a!ministration of E&sti2e an! enable the "ar to
!is2hare its p&bli2 responsibilit1 more effe2ti3el1,K
)17*
assists the Co&rt in pro3i!in the poor a22ess to E&sti2e. In
parti2&lar, it ren!ers free leal ai! &n!er the s&per3ision of the NC.A.

A NE2 RULE, A NE2 TOOL
FOR ACCESS TO JUSTICE
6n!er the I"#-s :&i!elines :o3ernin the 5stablishment an! Operation of .eal Ai! Offi2es in All
Chapters of the I"# $:&i!elines on .eal Ai!%, the 2ombine! Cmeans an! merit testsK shall be &se! to !etermine the
eliibilit1 of an appli2ant for leal ai!4

A'+IC.5 HIII
+5S+S

S5C. 1G. (ombined tests. 9 +he Chapter .eal Ai! Committee or the )NC.A*, as the 2ase
ma1 be, shall pass &pon the re,&est for leal ai! b1 the 2ombine! appli2ation of the means test
an! merit test, an! the 2onsi!eration of other fa2tors a!3erte! to in the folloBin se2tions.

S5C. 20. )eans test. 9 +he means test aims at !eterminin Bhether the appli2ant has no
3isible means of s&pport or his in2ome is otherBise ins&ffi2ient to pro3i!e the finan2ial reso&r2es
ne2essar1 to enae 2ompetent pri3ate 2o&nsel oBin to the !eman!s for s&bsisten2e of his
famil1, 2onsi!erin the n&mber of his !epen!ents an! the 2on!itions pre3ailin in the lo2alit1.

+he means test shall not be appli2able to appli2ants Bho fall &n!er the ;e3elopmental
.eal Ai! #roram s&2h as O3erseas 7ilipino Aor/ers, fishermen, farmers, Bomen an! 2hil!ren
an! other !isa!3antae! ro&ps.

S5C. 21. )erit test. 9 +he merit test see/s to as2ertain Bhether or not the appli2ant-s
2a&se of a2tion or his !efense is 3ali! an! 2han2es of establishin the same appear reasonable.

S5C. 22. *ther factors. 9 +he effe2t of the .eal Ai! Ser3i2e or of the fail&re to ren!er
the same &pon the '&le of .aB, the proper a!ministration of E&sti2e, the p&bli2 interest in3ol3e!
in i3en 2ases an! the pra2ti2e of laB in the lo2alit1 shall li/eBise be 2onsi!ere!.

S5C. 23. #rivate practice. 9 Care shall be ta/en that the .eal ai! is not a3aile! of to the
!etriment of the pri3ate pra2ti2e of laB, or ta/en a!3antae of b1 an1one for personal en!s.

S5C. 2(. +enial. 9 .eal ai! ma1 be !enie! to an appli2ant alrea!1 re2ei3in a!e,&ate
assistan2e from an1 so&r2e other than the Interate! "ar.
+he Cmeans an! merit testsK appear to be reasonable !eterminants of eliibilit1 for 2o3erae &n!er the leal
ai! proram of the I"#. Nonetheless, the1 ma1 be impro3e! to ens&re that an1 e0emption from the pa1ment of leal
fees that ma1 be rante! to 2lients of the NC.A an! the leal ai! offi2es of the 3ario&s I"# 2hapters Bill reall1
f&rther the riht of a22ess to E&sti2e b1 the poor. +his Bill &arantee that the e0emption Bill neither be ab&se! nor
tri3ialiIe!. +oBar!s this en!, the folloBin shall be obser3e! b1 the NC.A an! the leal ai! offi2es in I"# 2hapters
nationBi!e in a22eptin 2lients an! han!lin 2ases for the sai! 2lients4
A.M. N$. 34511565SC 7IRR8: Re: R&*e $' #%e E9e:/#,$' Fr$: #%e P.:e'# $0 Le+* Fee" $0 #%e
C*,e'#" $0 #%e N#,$'* C$::,##ee $' Le+* A,( '( $0 #%e Le+* A,( O00,!e" ,' #%e L$!* C%/#er" $0 #%e
I'#e+r#e( ;r $0 #%e P%,*,//,'e"

R&*e $' #%e E9e:/#,$' Fr$: #%e P.:e'# $0 Le+* Fee" $0 #%e C*,e'#" $0 #%e N#,$'*
C$::,##ee $' Le+* A,( 7NCLA8 '( $0 #%e Le+* A,( O00,!e" ,' #%e L$!* C%/#er" $0 #%e
I'#e+r#e( ;r $0 #%e P%,*,//,'e" 7I;P8

A'+IC.5 I
#&rpose

Se2tion 1. #urpose. 9 +his '&le is iss&e! for the p&rpose of enfor2in the riht of free a22ess to
2o&rts b1 the poor &arantee! &n!er Se2tion 11, Arti2le III of the Constit&tion. It is inten!e! to
in2rease the a22ess to E&sti2e b1 the poor b1 e0emptin from the pa1ment of leal fees in2i!ental
to instit&tin an a2tion in 2o&rt, as an oriinal pro2ee!in or on appeal, ,&alifie! in!ient 2lients
of the NC.A an! of the leal ai! offi2es in lo2al I"# 2hapters nationBi!e.

A'+IC.5 II
;efinition of +erms

Se2tion 1. +efinition of important terms. 9 7or p&rposes of this '&le an! as &se! herein, the
folloBin terms shall be &n!erstoo! to be hoB the1 are !efine! &n!er this Se2tion4

$a% C;e3elopmental leal ai!K means the ren!ition of leal ser3i2es in p&bli2 interest
2a&ses in3ol3in o3erseas Bor/ers, fisherfol/, farmers, laborers, in!ieno&s
2&lt&ral 2omm&nities, Bomen, 2hil!ren an! other !isa!3antae! ro&ps an!
marinaliIe! se2torsD

$b% C;isintereste! personK refers to the punong barangay ha3in E&ris!i2tion o3er
the pla2e Bhere an appli2ant for leal ai! or 2lient of the NC.A or 2hapter leal
ai! offi2e resi!esD

$2% C7alsit1K refers to an1 material misrepresentation of fa2t or an1 fra&!&lent,
!e2eitf&l, false, Bron or mislea!in statement in the appli2ation or affi!a3its
s&bmitte! to s&pport it or the affi!a3it of a !isintereste! person re,&ire! to be
s&bmitte! ann&all1 &n!er this '&le Bhi2h ma1 s&bstantiall1 affe2t the
!etermination of the ,&alifi2ations of the appli2ant or the 2lient &n!er the
means an! merit testsD

$!% C.eal feesK refers to the leal fees impose! &n!er '&le 1(1 of the '&les of
Co&rt as a ne2essar1 in2i!ent of instit&tin an a2tion in 2o&rt either as an
oriinal pro2ee!in or on appeal. In parti2&lar, it in2l&!es filin or !o2/et fees,
appeal fees, fees for iss&an2e of pro3isional reme!ies, me!iation fees, sheriff-s
fees, stenorapher-s fees $that is fees for trans2ript of stenoraphi2 notes% an!
2ommissioner-s feesD

$e% CMeans testK refers to the set of 2riteria &se! to !etermine Bhether the appli2ant
is one Bho has no mone1 or propert1 s&ffi2ient an! a3ailable for foo!, shelter
an! basi2 ne2essities for himself an! his famil1D

$f% CMerit testK refers to the as2ertainment of Bhether the appli2ant-s 2a&se of a2tion
or his !efense is 3ali! an! Bhether the 2han2es of establishin the same appear
reasonable an!

$% C'epresentati3eK refers to the person a&thoriIe! to file an appli2ation for leal
ai! in behalf of the appli2ant Bhen the sai! appli2ant is pre3ente! b1 a
2ompellin reason from personall1 filin his appli2ation. As a r&le, it refers to
the imme!iate famil1 members of the appli2ant. 8oBe3er, it ma1 in2l&!e an1 of
the appli2ant-s relati3es or an1 person or 2on2erne! 2itiIen of s&ffi2ient
!is2retion Bho has first-han! /noBle!e of the personal 2ir2&mstan2es of the
appli2ant as Bell as of the fa2ts of the appli2ant-s 2ase.

A'+IC.5 III
Co3erae

Se2tion 1. #ersons $ualified for eemption from payment of legal fees. 9 #ersons Bho shall enEo1
the benefit of e0emption from the pa1ment of leal fees in2i!ental to instit&tin an a2tion in
2o&rt, as an oriinal pro2ee!in or on appeal, rante! &n!er this '&le shall be limite! onl1 to
2lients of the NC.A an! the 2hapter leal ai! offi2es.

+he sai! 2lients shall refer to those in!ients ,&alifie! to re2ei3e free leal ai! ser3i2e
from the NC.A an! the 2hapter leal ai! offi2es. +heir ,&alifi2ations shall be !etermine! base!
on the tests pro3i!e! in this '&le.

Se2tion 2. #ersons not covered by the ,ule. 9 +he folloBin shall be !is,&alifie! from the
2o3erae of this '&le. Nor ma1 the1 be a22epte! as 2lients b1 the NC.A an! the 2hapter leal ai!
offi2es.

$a% =&ri!i2al personsD e02ept in 2ases 2o3ere! b1 !evelopmental legal aid or p&bli2
interest 2a&ses in3ol3in E&ri!i2al entities Bhi2h are non-sto2/, non-profit
oraniIations, non-o3ernmental oraniIations an! people-s oraniIations
Bhose in!i3i!&al members Bill pass the means test pro3i!e! in this '&leD

$b% #ersons Bho !o not pass the means an! merit testsD

$2% #arties alrea!1 represente! b1 a 2o&nsel de parteD

$!% OBners or lessors of resi!ential lan!s or b&il!ins Bith respe2t to the filin of
2olle2tion or &nlaBf&l !etainer s&its aainst their tenants an!

$e% #ersons Bho ha3e been 2lients of the NC.A or 2hapter leal ai! offi2e
pre3io&sl1 in a 2ase Bhere the NC.A or 2hapter leal ai! offi2e Bith!reB its
representation be2a&se of a falsit1 in the appli2ation or in an1 of the affi!a3its
s&pportin the sai! appli2ation.

Se2tion 3. (ases not covered by the ,ule. 9 +he NC.A an! the 2hapter leal ai! offi2es shall not
han!le the folloBin4

$a% Cases Bhere 2onfli2tin interests Bill be represente! b1 the NC.A an!
the 2hapter leal ai! offi2es an!

$b% #rose2&tion of 2riminal 2ases in 2o&rt.

A'+IC.5 IH
+ests of In!ien21

Se2tion 1. Tests for determining who may be clients of the -(L& and the legal aid offices in local
IB# chapters. 9 +he NC.A or the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee, as the 2ase ma1 be, shall pass
&pon re,&ests for leal ai! b1 the 2ombine! appli2ation of the means an! merit tests an! the
2onsi!eration of other rele3ant fa2tors pro3i!e! for in the folloBin se2tions.

Se2tion 2. )eans test. eception. 9 $a% +his test shall be base! on the folloBin 2riteria4 $i% the
appli2ant an! that of his imme!iate famil1 m&st ha3e a ross monthl1 in2ome that !oes not
e02ee! an amo&nt !o&ble the monthl1 minim&m Bae of an emplo1ee in the pla2e Bhere the
appli2ant resi!es an! $ii% he !oes not oBn real propert1 Bith a fair mar/et 3al&e as state! in the
2&rrent ta0 !e2laration of more than +hree 8&n!re! +ho&san! $#300,000.00% #esos.

In this 2onne2tion, the appli2ant shall e0e2&te an affi!a3it of in!ien21 $printe! at the
ba2/ of the appli2ation form% statin that he an! his imme!iate famil1 !o not earn a ross in2ome
abo3ementione!, nor oBn an1 real propert1 Bith the fair 3al&e aforementione!, s&pporte! b1 an
affi!a3it of a !isintereste! person attestin to the tr&th of the appli2ant-s affi!a3it. +he latest
in2ome ta0 ret&rn an!Lor 2&rrent ta0 !e2laration, if an1, shall be atta2he! to the appli2ant-s
affi!a3it.

$b% +he means test shall not be appli2able to appli2ants Bho fall &n!er the
!e3elopmental leal ai! proram s&2h as o3erseas Bor/ers, fisherfol/, farmers, laborers,
in!ieno&s 2&lt&ral 2omm&nities, Bomen, 2hil!ren an! other !isa!3antae! ro&ps.

Se2tion 3. )erit test. 9 A 2ase shall be 2onsi!ere! meritorio&s if an assessment of the laB an!
e3i!en2e at han! !is2loses that the leal ser3i2e Bill be in ai! of E&sti2e or in the f&rtheran2e
thereof, ta/in into 2onsi!eration the interests of the part1 an! those of so2iet1. A 2ase fails this
test if, after 2onsi!eration of the laB an! e3i!en2e presente! b1 the appli2ant, it appears that it is
inten!e! merel1 to harass or inE&re the opposite part1 or to Bor/ oppression or Bron.

Se2tion (. *ther relevant factors that may be considered. 9 +he effe2t of leal ai! or of the
fail&re to ren!er the same &pon the r&le of laB, the proper a!ministration of E&sti2e, the p&bli2
interest in3ol3e! in a i3en 2ase an! the pra2ti2e of laB in the lo2alit1 shall li/eBise be
2onsi!ere!.

A'+IC.5 H
A22eptan2e an! 8an!lin of Cases

Se2tion 1. #rocedure in accepting cases. 9 +he folloBin pro2e!&re shall be obser3e! in the
a22eptan2e of 2ases for p&rposes of this '&le4

$a% 7ilin of appli2ation 9 An appli2ation shall be ma!e personall1 b1 the appli2ant,
&nless there is a 2ompellin reason Bhi2h pre3ents him from !oin so, in Bhi2h
2ase his representati3e ma1 appl1 for him. It shall a!here s&bstantiall1 to the
form ma!e for that p&rpose. It shall be prepare! an! sine! b1 the appli2ant or,
in proper 2ases, his !&l1 a&thoriIe! representati3e in at least three 2opies.

Appli2ations for leal ai! shall be file! Bith the NC.A or Bith the
2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee.

+he NC.A shall, as m&2h as possible, 2on2entrate on 2ases of
paramo&nt importan2e or national impa2t.

'e,&ests re2ei3e! b1 the I"# National Offi2e shall be referre! b1
the NC.A to the proper 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee of the lo2alit1 Bhere the
2ases ha3e to be file! or are pen!in. +he 2hapter presi!ent an! the 2hairman of
the 2hapter-s leal ai! 2ommittee shall be a!3ise! of s&2h referral.

$b% Inter3ieB 9 +he appli2ant shall be inter3ieBe! b1 a member of the 2hapter leal
ai! 2ommittee or an1 2hapter member a&thoriIe! b1 the 2hapter leal ai!
2ommittee to !etermine the appli2ant-s ,&alifi2ations base! on the means an!
merit tests an! other rele3ant fa2tors. 8e shall also be re,&ire! to s&bmit 2opies
of his latest in2ome ta0 ret&rns an!Lor 2&rrent ta0 !e2laration, if a3ailable, an!
e0e2&te an affi!a3it of in!ien21 printe! at the ba2/ of the appli2ation form
Bith the s&pportin affi!a3it of a !isintereste! person attestin to the tr&th of
the appli2ant-s affi!a3it.

After the inter3ieB, the appli2ant shall be informe! that he 2an
folloB &p the a2tion on his appli2ation after fi3e $J% Bor/in !a1s.

$2% A2tion on the appli2ation 9 +he 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee shall pass &pon
e3er1 re,&est for leal ai! an! s&bmit its re2ommen!ation to the 2hapter boar!
of offi2ers Bithin three $3% Bor/in !a1s after the inter3ieB of the appli2ant.
+he basis of the re2ommen!ation shall be state!.

+he 2hapter boar! of offi2ers shall re3ieB an! a2t on the
re2ommen!ation of the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee Bithin tBo $2% Bor/in
!a1s from re2eipt thereofD #rovided, hoBe3er, that in &rent matters re,&irin
prompt or imme!iate a2tion, the 2hapter-s e0e2&ti3e !ire2tor of leal ai! or
Bhoe3er performs his f&n2tions ma1 pro3isionall1 a2t on the appli2ation,
s&bEe2t to re3ieB b1 the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee an!, thereafter, b1 the
2hapter boar! of offi2ers.

+he a2tion of the 2hapter boar! of offi2ers on the appli2ation shall
be final.

$!% (ases which may be provisionally accepted. 9 In the folloBin 2ases, the NC.A
or the 2hapter leal ai! offi2e, thro&h the 2hapter-s e0e2&ti3e !ire2tor of leal
ai! or Bhoe3er performs his f&n2tions ma1 a22ept 2ases pro3isionall1 pen!in
3erifi2ation of the appli2ant-s in!ien21 an! an e3al&ation of the merit of his
2ase.

$i% Ahere a Barrant for the arrest of the appli2ant has been iss&e!D

$ii% Ahere a plea!in has to be file! imme!iatel1 to a3oi! a!3erse effe2ts
to the appli2antD

$iii% Ahere an appeal has to be &rentl1 perfe2te! or a petition for 2ertiorari,
prohibition or man!am&s file! has to be file! imme!iatel1D an!

$i3% Other similar &rent 2ases.

$e% Assinment of 2ontrol n&mber 9 6pon appro3al of the 2hapter boar! of offi2ers
of a person-s appli2ation an! the appli2ant is fo&n! to be ,&alifie! for leal
assistan2e, the 2ase shall be assine! a 2ontrol n&mber. +he n&mberin shall be
2onse2&ti3e startin from =an&ar1 to ;e2ember of e3er1 1ear. +he 2ontrol
n&mber shall also in!i2ate the reion an! the 2hapter han!lin the 2ase.

50ample4
'eion
)18*
Chapter ?ear Month N&mber
:M - Manila - 200G - 03 - 0GG

$f% Iss&an2e of a 2ertifi2ation 9 After an appli2ation is appro3e! an! a 2ontrol
n&mber !&l1 assine!, the 2hapter boar! of offi2ers shall iss&e a 2ertifi2ation
that the person $that is, the s&22essf&l appli2ant% is a 2lient of the NC.A or of
the 2hapter leal ai! offi2e. +he 2ertifi2ation shall bear the 2ontrol n&mber of
the 2ase an! shall state the name of the 2lient an! the nat&re of the E&!i2ial
a2tion s&bEe2t of the leal ai! of the NC.A or the leal ai! offi2e of a lo2al I"#
2hapter.

+he 2ertifi2ation shall be iss&e! to the s&22essf&l appli2ant free of
2hare.

Se2tion 2. &ssignment of cases. 9 After a 2ase is i3en a 2ontrol n&mber, the 2hapter boar! of
offi2ers shall refer it ba2/ to the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee. +he 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee
shall assin the 2ase to an1 2hapter member Bho is Billin to han!le the 2ase.

In 2ase no 2hapter member has sinifie! an intention to han!le the 2ase 3ol&ntaril1, the
2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee shall refer the matter to the 2hapter boar! of offi2ers toether Bith
the names of at least three members Bho, in the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee-s !is2retion, ma1
2ompetentl1 ren!er leal ai! on the matter. +he 2hapter boar! of offi2ers shall appoint one
2hapter member from amon the list of names s&bmitte! b1 the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee. +he
2hapter member 2hosen ma1 not ref&se the appointment e02ept on the ro&n! of 2onfli2t of
interest or other e,&all1 2ompellin ro&n!s as pro3i!e! in the Co!e of #rofessional
'esponsibilit1,
)1G*
in Bhi2h 2ase the 2hapter boar! of offi2ers shall appoint his repla2ement from
amon the remainin names in the list pre3io&sl1 s&bmitte! b1 the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee.

+he 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee an! the 2hapter boar! of offi2ers shall ta/e the
ne2essar1 meas&res to ens&re that 2ases are Bell-!istrib&te! to 2hapter members.

Se2tion 3. #olicies and guidelines in the acceptance and handling of cases. 9 +he folloBin
poli2ies an! &i!elines shall be obser3e! in the a22eptan2e an! han!lin of 2ases4

$a% 7irst 2ome, first ser3e! 9 Ahere both the 2omplainantLplaintiffLpetitioner an!
!efen!antL respon!ent appl1 for leal ai! an! both are ,&alifie!, the first to see/
assistan2e shall be i3en preferen2e.

$b% A3oi!an2e of 2onfli2t of interest 9 Ahere a22eptan2e of a 2ase Bill i3e rise to a
2onfli2t of interest on the part of the 2hapter leal ai! offi2e, the appli2ant shall
be !&l1 informe! an! a!3ise! to see/ the ser3i2es of a pri3ate 2o&nsel or
another leal ai! oraniIation.

Ahere han!lin of the 2ase Bill i3e rise to a 2onfli2t of interest
on the part of the 2hapter member assine! to the 2ase, the 2lient shall be !&l1
informe! an! a!3ise! abo&t it. +he han!lin laB1er shall also inform the
2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee so that another 2hapter member ma1 be assine! to
han!le the 2ase. 7or p&rposes of 2hoosin the s&bstit&te han!lin laB1er, the
r&le in the imme!iatel1 pre2e!in se2tion shall be obser3e!.

$2% .eal ai! is p&rel1 rat&ito&s an! honorar1 9 No member of the 2hapter or
member of the staff of the NC.A or 2hapter leal ai! offi2e shall !ire2tl1 or
in!ire2tl1 !eman! or re,&est from an appli2ant or 2lient an1 2ompensation, ift
or present for leal ai! ser3i2es bein applie! for or ren!ere!.

$!% Same stan!ar! of 2on!&2t an! e,&al treatment 9 A 2hapter member Bho is tas/e!
to han!le a 2ase a22epte! b1 the NC.A or b1 the 2hapter leal ai! offi2e shall
obser3e the same stan!ar! of 2on!&2t o3ernin his relations Bith pa1in
2lients. 8e shall treat the 2lient of the NC.A or of the 2hapter leal ai! offi2e
an! the sai! 2lient-s 2ase in a manner that is e,&al an! similar to his treatment
of a pa1in 2lient an! his 2ase.

$e% 7alsit1 in the appli2ation or in the affi!a3its 9 An1 falsit1 in the appli2ation or in
the affi!a3it of in!ien21 or in the affi!a3it of a !isintereste! person shall be
s&ffi2ient 2a&se for the NC.A or 2hapter leal ai! offi2e to Bith!raB
or terminate the leal ai!. 7or this p&rpose, the 2hapter boar! of offi2ers shall
a&thoriIe the han!lin laB1er to file the proper manifestation of Bith!raBal of
appearan2e of the 2hapter leal ai! offi2e in the 2ase Bith a motion for the
!ismissal of the 2omplaint or a2tion of the errin 2lient. +he 2o&rt, after
hearin, shall appro3e the Bith!raBal of appearan2e an! rant the motion,
Bitho&t preE&!i2e to Bhate3er 2riminal liabilit1 ma1 ha3e been in2&rre!.

Hiolation of this poli21 shall !is,&alif1 the errin 2lient from
a3ailin of the benefits of this '&le in the f&t&re.

$f% Statement in the initiator1 plea!in 9 +o a3ail of the benefits of the '&le, the
initiator1 plea!in shall state as an essential preliminar1 alleation that $i% the
part1 initiatin the a2tion is a 2lient of the NC.A or of the 2hapter leal ai!
offi2e an! therefore entitle! to e0emption from the pa1ment of leal fees &n!er
this '&le an! $ii% a 2ertifie! tr&e 2op1 of the 2ertifi2ation iss&e! p&rs&ant to
Se2tion 1$e%, of this Arti2le is atta2he! or anne0e! to the plea!in.

7ail&re to ma/e the statement shall be a ro&n! for the !ismissal
of the a2tion Bitho&t preE&!i2e to its refilin.

+he same r&le shall appl1 in 2ase the 2lient, thro&h the NC.A
or 2hapter leal ai! offi2e, files an appeal.

$% Atta2hment of 2ertifi2ation in initiator1 plea!in 9 A 2ertifie! tr&e 2op1 of the
2ertifi2ation iss&e! p&rs&ant to Se2tion 1$e%, of this Arti2le shall be atta2he! as
an anne0 to the initiator1 plea!in.

7ail&re to atta2h a 2ertifie! tr&e 2op1 of the sai! 2ertifi2ation shall be a
ro&n! for the !ismissal of the a2tion Bitho&t preE&!i2e to its refilin.

+he same r&le shall appl1 in 2ase the 2lient, thro&h the NC.A
or 2hapter leal ai! offi2e, files an appeal.

$h% Sinin of plea!ins 9 All 2omplaints, petitions, ansBers, replies, memoran!a
an! other important plea!ins or motions to be file! in 2o&rts shall be sine! b1
the han!lin laB1er an! 2o-sine! b1 the 2hairperson or a member of the
2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee, or in &rent 2ases, b1 the e0e2&ti3e !ire2tor of
leal ai! or Bhoe3er performs his f&n2tions.

Or!inar1 motions s&2h as motions for e0tension of time to file a
plea!in or for postponement of hearin an! manifestations ma1 be sine! b1
the han!lin laB1er alone.

$i% Motions for e0tension of time or for postponement 9 +he filin of motions for
e0tension of time to file a plea!in or for postponement of hearin shall be
a3oi!e! as m&2h as possible as the1 2a&se !ela1 to the 2ase an! prolon the
pro2ee!ins.

$E% +ransfer of 2ases 9 +ransfer of 2ases from one han!lin laB1er to another shall
be affe2te! onl1 &pon appro3al of the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee.

Se2tion (. +ecision to appeal. 9 $a% All appeals m&st be ma!e on the re,&est of the 2lient himself.
7or this p&rpose, the 2lient shall be ma!e to fill &p a re,&est to appeal.

$b% Onl1 meritorio&s 2ases shall be appeale!. If the han!lin laB1er, in 2ons&ltation
Bith the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee, fin!s that there is no merit to the appeal, the 2lient sho&l!
be imme!iatel1 informe! thereof in Britin an! the re2or! of the 2ase t&rne! o3er to him, &n!er
proper re2eipt. If the 2lient insists on appealin the 2ase, the laB1er han!lin the 2ase sho&l!
perfe2t the appeal before t&rnin o3er the re2or!s of the 2ase to him.

Se2tion J. #rotection of private practice. 9 6tmost 2are shall be ta/en to ens&re that leal ai! is
neither a3aile! of to the !etriment of the pri3ate pra2ti2e of laB nor ta/en a!3antae of b1
an1one for p&rel1 personal en!s.

A'+IC.5 HI
Aith!raBal of .eal Ai! an! +ermination of 50emption

Se2tion 1. /ithdrawal of legal aid. 9 +he NC.A or the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee ma1, in
E&stifiable instan2es as pro3i!e! in the ne0t Se2tion, !ire2t the han!lin laB1er to Bith!raB
representation of a 2lient-s 2a&se &pon appro3al of the I"# "oar! of :o3ernors $in the 2ase of the
NC.A% or of the 2hapter boar! of offi2ers $in the 2ase of the 2hapter leal ai! 2ommittee% an!
thro&h a proper motion file! in Co&rt.

Se2tion 2. 0rounds for withdrawal of legal aid. 9 Aith!raBal ma1 be Barrante! in the folloBin
sit&ations4

$a% In a 2ase that has been pro3isionall1 a22epte!, Bhere it is s&bse,&entl1
as2ertaine! that the 2lient is not ,&alifie! for leal ai!D

$b% Ahere the 2lient-s in2ome or reso&r2es impro3e an! he no loner ,&alifies for
2ontin&e! assistan2e base! on the means test. 7or this p&rpose, on or before
=an&ar1 1J e3er1 1ear, the 2lient shall s&bmit an affi!a3it of a !isintereste!
person statin that the 2lient an! his imme!iate famil1 !o not earn a ross
in2ome mentione! in Se2tion 2, Arti2le H, nor oBn an1 real propert1 Bith the
fair mar/et 3al&e mentione! in the same Se2tionD

$2% Ahen it is shoBn or fo&n! that the 2lient 2ommitte! a falsit1 in the appli2ation
or in the affi!a3its s&bmitte! to s&pport the appli2ationD

$!% Ahen the 2lient s&bse,&entl1 enaes a de parte 2o&nsel or is pro3i!e! Bith a de
oficio 2o&nselD

$e% Ahen, !espite proper a!3i2e from the han!lin laB1er, the 2lient 2annot be
refraine! from !oin thins Bhi2h the laB1er himself o&ht not !o &n!er the
ethi2s of the leal profession, parti2&larl1 Bith referen2e to their 2on!&2t
toBar!s 2o&rts, E&!i2ial offi2ers, Bitnesses an! litiants, or the 2lient insists on
ha3in 2ontrol of the trial, theor1 of the 2ase, or strate1 in pro2e!&re Bhi2h
Bo&l! ten! to res&lt in in2al2&lable harm to the interests of the 2lientD

$f% Ahen, !espite noti2e from the han!lin laB1er, the 2lient !oes not 2ooperate or
2oor!inate Bith the han!lin laB1er to the preE&!i2e of the proper an! effe2ti3e
ren!ition of leal ai! s&2h as Bhen the 2lient fails to pro3i!e !o2&ments
ne2essar1 to s&pport his 2ase or &nreasonabl1 fails to atten! hearins Bhen his
presen2e thereat is re,&ire!D an!

$% Ahen it be2omes apparent that the representation of the 2lient-s 2a&se Bill res&lt
in a representation of 2onfli2tin interests, as Bhere the a!3erse part1 ha!
pre3io&sl1 enae! the ser3i2es of the NC.A or of the 2hapter leal ai! offi2e
an! the s&bEe2t matter of the litiation is !ire2tl1 relate! to the ser3i2es
pre3io&sl1 ren!ere! to the a!3erse part1.

Se2tion 3. 1ffect of withdrawal. 9 +he 2o&rt, after hearin, shall alloB the NC.A or the 2hapter
leal ai! offi2e to Bith!raB if it is satisfie! that the ro&n! for s&2h Bith!raBal e0ists.

502ept Bhen the Bith!raBal is base! on pararaphs $b%, $!% an! $% of the imme!iatel1
pre2e!in Se2tion, the 2o&rt shall also or!er the !ismissal of the 2ase. S&2h !ismissal is Bitho&t
preE&!i2e to Bhate3er 2riminal liabilit1 ma1 ha3e been in2&rre! if the Bith!raBal is base! on
pararaph $2% of the imme!iatel1 pre2e!in Se2tion.

A'+IC.5 HII
Mis2ellaneo&s #ro3isions

Se2tion 1. Lien on favorable judgment. 9 +he amo&nt of the !o2/et an! other laBf&l fees Bhi2h
the 2lient Bas e0empte! from pa1in shall be a lien on an1 E&!ment ren!ere! in the 2ase
fa3orable to the in!ient, &nless the 2o&rt otherBise pro3i!es.

In 2ase, attorne1-s fees ha3e been aBar!e! to the 2lient, the same shall belon to the
NC.A or to the 2hapter leal ai! offi2e that ren!ere! the leal ai!, as the 2ase ma1 be. It shall
form part of a spe2ial f&n! Bhi2h shall be e02l&si3el1 &se! to s&pport the leal ai! proram of
the NC.A or the 2hapter leal ai! offi2e. In this 2onne2tion, the 2hapter boar! of offi2ers shall
report the re2eipt of attorne1-s fees p&rs&ant to this Se2tion to the NC.A Bithin ten $10% !a1s
from re2eipt thereof. +he NC.A shall, in t&rn, in2l&!e the !ata on attorne1-s fees re2ei3e! b1 I"#
2hapters p&rs&ant to this Se2tion in its li,&i!ation report for the ann&al s&bsi!1 for leal ai!.

Se2tion 2. +uty of -(L& to prepare forms. 9 +he NC.A shall prepare the stan!ar! forms to be
&se! in 2onne2tion Bith this '&le. In parti2&lar, the NC.A shall prepare the folloBin stan!ar!
forms4 the appli2ation form, the affi!a3it of in!ien21, the s&pportin affi!a3it of a !isintereste!
person, the affi!a3it of a !isintereste! person re,&ire! to be s&bmitte! ann&all1 &n!er Se2tion
2$b%, Arti2le HI, the 2ertifi2ation iss&e! b1 the NC.A or the 2hapter boar! of offi2ers &n!er
Se2tion 1$f%, Arti2le H an! the re,&est to appeal.

+he sai! forms, e02ept the 2ertifi2ation, shall be in 7ilipino. Aithin si0t1 $F0% !a1s from
re2eipt of the forms from the NC.A, the 2hapter leal ai! offi2es shall ma/e translations of the
sai! forms in the !ominant !iale2t &se! in their respe2ti3e lo2alities.

Se2tion 3. 1ffect of ,ule on right to bring suits in forma pauperis. 9 Nothin in this '&le shall be
2onsi!ere! to pre2l&!e those persons not 2o3ere! either b1 this '&le or b1 the e0emption from
the pa1ment of leal fees rante! to 2lients of the #&bli2 Attorne1-s Offi2e &n!er Se2tion 1F-; of
'A G(0F to litiate in forma pauperis &n!er Se2tion 21, '&le 3 an! Se2tion 1G '&le 1(1 of the
'&les of Co&rt.

Se2tion (. (ompliance with ,ule on )andatory Legal &id 2ervice. 9 .eal ai! ser3i2e ren!ere!
b1 a laB1er &n!er this '&le either as a han!lin laB1er or as an inter3ieBer of appli2ants &n!er
Se2tion 1$b%, Arti2le IH hereof shall be 2re!ite! for p&rposes of 2omplian2e Bith the '&le on
Man!ator1 .eal Ai! Ser3i2e.

+he 2hairperson of the 2hapter leal ai! offi2e shall iss&e the 2ertifi2ate similar to that
iss&e! b1 the Cler/ of Co&rt in Se2tion J$b% of the '&le on Man!ator1 .eal Ai! Ser3i2e.

A'+IC.5 HIII
5ffe2ti3it1

Se2tion 1. 1ffectivity. 9 +his '&le shall be2ome effe2ti3e after fifteen !a1s folloBin its
p&bli2ation in a neBspaper of eneral 2ir2&lation.
+he abo3e r&le, in 2onE&n2tion Bith Se2tion 21, '&le 3 an! Se2tion 1G, '&le 1(1 of the '&les of Co&rt, the
'&le on Man!ator1 .eal Ai! Ser3i2e an! the '&le of #ro2e!&re for Small Claims Cases, shall form a soli! base of
r&les &pon Bhi2h the riht of a22ess to 2o&rts b1 the poor shall be implemente!. Aith these r&les, Be e,&ip the poor
Bith the tools to effe2ti3el1, effi2ientl1 an! easil1 enfor2e their rihts in the E&!i2ial s1stem.
A FINAL 2ORD
5,&it1 Bill not s&ffer a Bron to be Bitho&t a reme!1. 3bi jus ibi remedium. Ahere there is a riht, there
m&st be a reme!1. +he reme!1 m&st not onl1 be effe2ti3e an! effi2ient, b&t also rea!il1 a22essible. 7or a reme!1 that
is ina22essible is no reme!1 at all.

+he Constit&tion &arantees the rihts of the poor to free a22ess to the 2o&rts an! to a!e,&ate leal
assistan2e. +he leal ai! ser3i2e ren!ere! b1 the NC.A an! leal ai! offi2es of I"# 2hapters nationBi!e a!!resses
onl1 the riht to a!e,&ate leal assistan2e. 'e2ipients of the ser3i2e of the NC.A an! leal ai! offi2es of I"#
2hapters ma1 enEo1 free a22ess to 2o&rts b1 e0emptin them from the pa1ment of fees assesse! in 2onne2tion Bith
the filin of a 2omplaint or a2tion in 2o&rt. Aith these tBin initiati3es, the &arantee of Se2tion 11, Arti2le III of
Constit&tion is a!3an2e! an! a22ess to E&sti2e is in2rease! b1 bri!in a sinifi2ant ap an! remo3in a maEor
roa!blo2/.

2HEREFORE, the Misamis Oriental Chapter of the Interate! "ar of the #hilippines is
hereb1 COMMENDED for helpin in2rease the a22ess to E&sti2e b1 the poor. +he re,&est of the Misamis Oriental
Chapter for the e0emption from the pa1ment of filin, !o2/et an! other fees of the 2lients of the leal ai! offi2es of
the 3ario&s I"# 2hapters is GRANTED. +he '&le on the 50emption 7rom the #a1ment of .eal 7ees of the
Clients of the National Committee on .eal Ai! $NC.A% an! of the .eal Ai! Offi2es in the .o2al Chapters of the
Interate! "ar of the #hilippines $I"#% $Bhi2h shall be assine! the !o2/et n&mber A.M. No. 08-11-7-SC )I''*
pro3i!e! in this resol&tion is hereb1 APPRO<ED. In this 2onne2tion, the Cler/ of Co&rt is DIRECTED to 2a&se
the p&bli2ation of the sai! r&le in a neBspaper of eneral 2ir2&lation Bithin fi3e !a1s from the prom&lation of this
resol&tion.

+he Offi2e of the Co&rt A!ministrator is hereb1 !ire2te! to promptl1 iss&e a 2ir2&lar to inform all 2o&rts in
the #hilippines of the import of this resol&tion.
)1*
5rroneo&sl1 referre! to as the CNational .eal Ai! Offi2eK in the oriinal 2aption of this a!ministrati3e
matter.
)2*
,ollo, pp. 1-2.
)3*
'eferre! to in the resol&tion as the CNational .eal Ai! Offi2e.K
)(*
2upra note 2.
)J*
#er resol&tion !ate! No3ember 18, 2008.
)F*
,ollo, pp. 8-12.
)7*
'ep&bli2 A2t.
)8*
+hese in2l&!e $i% honoraria $s&bEe2t to Bithhol!in ta0% of leal ai! laB1ers for 2ostD $ii% &p to 70M of
bills for operational e0penses $in2l&!in offi2e rental, lihtLele2tri2it1, Bater an! telephone bills%D $iii%
a2t&al e0penses for postae, teleram, s&pplies, repairs an! maintenan2e of offi2e t1peBriter, 2omp&ter an!
other e,&ipment an! offi2e s&pplies an! $i3% transportation of leal ai! 2ler/s an! laB1ers $Bhi2h 2o3er
a2t&al fare onl1 an! !oes not in2l&!e asoline e0pense%.
)G*
+he allo2ation is in 3ar1in amo&nts !&l1 appro3e! b1 the I"# "oar! of :o3ernors.
)10*
2upra note F.
)11*
2ee Canon (, Co!e of #rofessional 'esponsibilit1.
)12*
Se2tion 11, Arti2le III, Constit&tion.
)13*
Chief =&sti2e 'e1nato S. #&no, ,ecogni4ing the #oor. +he spee2h Bas !eli3ere! on 7ebr&ar1 27, 200G at
the Mal2olm +heater of the 6.#. Collee of .aB for the Alphan .e2t&re Series entitle! 1mancipation %rom
#overty Through Legal 1mpowerment sponsore! b1 the Alpha #hi "eta 7raternit1 of the Collee of .aB of
the 6ni3ersit1 of the #hilippines. +he Chief =&sti2e en&merate! fo&r pillars of leal empoBerment of the
poor, namel1, a2,&isition of propert1 rihts, b&siness rihts, labor rihts an! a22ess to E&sti2e.
)1(*
Se2tion J$J%, Arti2le HIII, Constit&tion.
)1J*
S5C+ION 21. Indigent party. 9 A part1 ma1 be a&thoriIe! to litiate his a2tion,
2laim or !efense as an in!ient if the 2o&rt, &pon an e parte appli2ation an! hearin, is
satisfie! that the part1 is one Bho has no mone1 or propert1 s&ffi2ient an! a3ailable for foo!,
shelter an! basi2 ne2essities for himself an! his famil1.

S&2h a&thorit1 shall in2l&!e an e0emption from pa1ment of !o2/et an! other laBf&l
fees, an! of trans2ripts of stenoraphi2 notes Bhi2h the 2o&rt ma1 or!er to be f&rnishe! him.
+he amo&nt of the !o2/et an! other laBf&l fees Bhi2h the in!ient Bas e0empte! from pa1in
shall be a lien on an1 E&!ment ren!ere! in the 2ase fa3orable to the in!ient, &nless the 2o&rt
otherBise pro3i!es.

An1 a!3erse part1 ma1 2ontest the rant of s&2h a&thorit1 at an1 time before
E&!ment is ren!ere! b1 the trial 2o&rt. If the 2o&rt sho&l! !etermine after hearin that the
part1 !e2lare! as an in!ient is in fa2t a person Bith s&ffi2ient in2ome or propert1, the proper
!o2/et an! other laBf&l fees shall be assesse! an! 2olle2te! b1 the 2ler/ of 2o&rt. If pa1ment is
not ma!e Bithin the time fi0e! b1 the 2o&rt, e0e2&tion shall iss&e for the pa1ment thereof,
Bitho&t preE&!i2e to s&2h other san2tions as the 2o&rt ma1 impose.
)1F*
S5C+ION 1G. Indigent5litigants eempt from payment of legal fees. 9 In!ient
litiant $a% Bhose ross in2ome an! that of their imme!iate famil1 !o not e02ee! an amo&nt
!o&ble the monthl1 minim&m Bae of an emplo1ee an! $b% Bho !o not oBn real propert1 Bith
a fair mar/et 3al&e as state! in the 2&rrent ta0 !e2laration of more than +hree 8&n!re!
+ho&san! $#300,000.00% #esos shall be e0empt from the pa1ment of leal fees.

+he leal fees shall be a lien on an1 E&!ment ren!ere! in the 2ase fa3orable to the
in!ient &nless the 2o&rt otherBise pro3i!es.

+o be entitle! to the e0emption herein pro3i!e!, the litiant shall e0e2&te an
affi!a3it that he an! his imme!iate famil1 !o not earn a ross in2ome abo3ementione!, nor
oBn an1 real propert1 Bith the fair 3al&e aforementione!, s&pporte! b1 a an affi!a3it of a
!isintereste! person attestin to the tr&th of the litiant-s affi!a3it. +he 2&rrent ta0 !e2laration,
if an1, shall be atta2he! to the litiant-s affi!a3it.

An1 falsit1 in the affi!a3it of litiant or !isintereste! person shall be s&ffi2ient
2a&se to !ismiss the 2omplaint or a2tion or to stri/e o&t the plea!in of that part1, Bitho&t
preE&!i2e to Bhate3er 2riminal liabilit1 ma1 ha3e been in2&rre!.
)17*
Se2tion 2, Arti2le I, "1-.aBs of the I"#.
)18*
7or p&rposes of the '&le, the folloBin abbre3iations shall be &se! to refer to the 3ario&s reions of the
I"#4 N. 9 Northern .&Ion, C. 9 Central .&Ion, :M 9 :reater Manila, S. 9 So&thern .&Ion, " 9
"i2olan!ia, 5H 9 5astern Hisa1as, AH 9 Aestern Hisa1as, 5M 9 5astern Min!anao an! AM 9 Aestern
Min!anao.
)1G*
+his is base! on the prin2iple that leal ai! is not a matter of 2harit1. It is a means for the 2orre2tion of
so2ial imbalan2es that ma1 an! often !o lea! to inE&sti2e, for Bhi2h reason it is a p&bli2 responsibilit1 of
the bar. +he spirit of p&bli2 ser3i2e sho&l!, therefore, &n!erlie all leal ai! offi2es. +he same sho&l! be so
a!ministere! as to i3e ma0im&m possible assistan2e to in!ient an! !eser3in members of the 2omm&nit1
in all 2ases, matters an! sit&ations in Bhi2h leal ai! ma1 be ne2essar1 to forestall an inE&sti2e $Se2tion 1,
Arti2le I, :&i!elines on .eal Ai!%. +he aforementione! prin2iple is li/eBise a primar1 basis of the '&le
on Man!ator1 .eal Ai! Ser3i2e.