“With the recent suspension of CLAS by the Supreme Court, your IBP will continue supporting and guiding lawyers who may wish to help our less fortunate countrymen,” IBP National President Domingo Egon Cayosa said in a statement.The Supreme Court earlier suspended the implementation of CLAS which requires incoming lawyers to provide 120 hours of pro bono legal work for poor litigants.
The Court En Banc also ordered the IBP to “refer back the cases currently assigned to CLAS-covered lawyers to the supervising IBP lawyers.” Cayosa thanked lawyers who provided service under the rule for their “selfless and invaluable services to the poor and the marginalised and the big boost that you have given the IBP free legal aid program.”
“As we understand the limitations and situation of newly admitted lawyers, we look forward to your continuing participation in the pro bono programs and activities of IBP,” he added. “Let us be proud of and carry on our valued tradition of free legal aid. Let us help build a nation at peace through justice for all,” he added.