Davao City – May 1, 2025 — In a significant move to promote access to justice for all, the City Government of Davao signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Davao City Chapter on Wednesday for the implementation of the Extended Legal Aid Program.
The partnership seeks to enhance the delivery of free legal services to indigent residents, addressing long-standing barriers that prevent the underprivileged from asserting their rights in court.
“For years now, the IBP has been representing indigent litigants living in the city,” said Atty. Antoinette Principe of the IBP Davao City Chapter. “As of January 2025, through the efforts of Atty. Joseph Brian Atensor and our pool of volunteer lawyers, we have handled hundreds of judicial and quasi-judicial cases.”
Under the new agreement, the City Government of Davao will provide financial assistance amounting to P2 million annually. The IBP will use the funds to hire a chief legal aid lawyer and two assistant legal aid lawyers, significantly expanding its capacity to serve more clients.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that it was inspired by the city’s barangay caravans, where legal concerns repeatedly surfaced as a primary issue among residents.
“When I visited the barangays, I realized that many Dabawenyos have unresolved legal concerns but cannot afford a lawyer,” Duterte said. “It is only imperative for the city government to allot funds for legal services that are free and accessible to all.”
The mayor also underscored the broader implications of free legal aid. “This can promote socio-economic growth because it shows people that justice and opportunity are not only for the wealthy. When the government uses its resources to uplift the marginalized, we build a more just and inclusive society.”
One critical aspect of the expanded program is addressing legal cases that cannot be handled by the City Prosecutor’s Office or the Public Attorney’s Office due to conflicts of interest. The program is also expected to help decongest jails and hasten legal proceedings for the poor.
Atty. Ferdinand Taglucop, IBP Davao City Chapter President, expressed deep gratitude to the city government, calling the partnership “a testament to our shared commitment to make justice more available, especially sa mga less privileged.”
“It reflects a vision of a Davao City where every citizen, regardless of status, has the means to assert their rights, to seek redress, and to be heard,” he added.
The initiative is anchored in Section 11, Article III of the 1987 Constitution, which guarantees free access to courts and adequate legal assistance to those who cannot afford it.
The Importance of Free Legal Assistance
The Davao City initiative underscores a critical reality in the Philippines: for many, justice remains out of reach due to poverty. Without access to legal representation, the poor are often left vulnerable to abuse, wrongful detention, and exploitation. Free legal aid is not merely a service—it is a lifeline for dignity and fairness.
By investing in legal aid, local governments can uphold constitutional rights, ease the burden on overworked public attorneys, and ensure that justice serves everyone, not just the privileged few.
Davao City’s commitment serves as a model that other local government units across the country may soon follow—a clear reminder that access to justice is a cornerstone of a democratic society.