LEGAL AID CENTER CONDUCTS “LIBRENG GABAY SA HUSTISYA PROGRAM”

By: Eureka Candari

(Unedited by the School Paper Editors)

The Legal Aid Center (LAC) of San Beda College Alabang conducted a free legal advice
program for one whole day, last January 14, 2016, entitled “Libreng Gabay sa Hustisya”, in
participation of the Feast of Sto. Nino celebrated by the SBCA community last January 14-16,
2016.
LAC President, Jowee Marquez, on an interview, said that “Every year since the LAC was
formed, we have been giving free legal advice to those within the San Beda community and all
surrounding areas in Muntinlupa during the Feast of Sto. Nino”.
The program was primarily catered to give free legal advice to employees of the SBCA, but also
welcomed walk-in advisees other than the SBCA employees. Carlo Fortuna, student from
College of Arts and Sciences, SBCA, said “The reason why I consulted legal aid is because I
couldn't get the help that I need just by asking people (Lawyers) that I know, of course they
would not prioritize me simply because I'm not paying them at all. Legal Aid did beyond what I
expected, Abe Alzate, an LAC member, volunteered to personally accompany me to the shop to
settle the issue once and for all. Keeps track of the case, gives me legal advise and updates from
time to time. Despite the case not being resolved yet (not because of legal aid but because the
shop refused to arrive at a compromise), I'm confident that eventually the case will be settled all
thanks to Legal Aid. “
By virtue of the Supreme Court accreditation for Clinical Legal Education Program of the Legal
Aid Clinic- SBCA, the members of the LAC-SBCA is authorized to give advice as prescribed
under Rule 138-A, Section 1 of the Rules of Court. However, the program did not only help the
clients, but also to the members themselves, as per Marquez “Our members became more aware
of the realness of the situations of the clients that come to LAC and understand the gravity of
their problems and need of legal advice. We are no longer kept within the pages of our law books
or the confines of our classroom but become more knowledgeable that certain decisions and legal
issues have real consequences. It is one of the ways for the members of the LAC to take a direct
part in the organization’s mission to provide legal assistance”.
The Program is also an arm to promote the clinic’s main purpose which is to provide free, but
quality legal services to persons of inadequate means. Marquez added that “we hope that in this
activity, the organization will be more visible and be seen as one of the proponents of the school
in helping those who need legal advice within and outside of its premises. In keeping with the
mission and vision of San Beda and Benedictine Principles, it is our aim to promote and serve
the common good”.