How can I get free legal assistance in the Philippines?

These Philippines government agencies provides legal advice to Pinoys and in some cases to foreigners:

PAO
Public Attorney’s Office

The Public Attorney’s Office provides free legal services and assistance to the poor and underprivileged under the Constitutional mandate that “free access to courts shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty”.

PAO will only assist applicants whose individual monthly net income does not exceed:

If residing in Metro Manila, whose individual net income does not exceed P14,000.00;
If residing in other cities, whose individual net income does not exceed P13,000.00;
If residing in all other places, whose individual net income does not exceed P12,000.00.

The term income shall not include the pension received by retirees.

PAO district offices are usually located at or near the municipal hall, city hall, provincial hall or hall of justice of each respective municipality, city or province.

Proof of Indigency

It’s recommended that you to bring any of the following proofs of indigency: (a) Latest Income Tax Return or pay slip, or other proofs of net income; or, (b) Certificate of Indigency from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, City Social Welfare and Development Office or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office having jurisdiction over the residence of the applicant; or, (c) Certificate of Indigency from the Punong Barangay/Barangay Chairman having jurisdiction over the residence of the applicant.

Free legal assistance includes the provision of legal advice, referrals for conciliation, assistance in the preparation of complaints and supporting documents, filing of administrative charges for recruitment violations, institution of criminal actions and assistance during preliminary investigation and trial.

Affidavit of Indigency

DOLE
Department of Labor and Employment

The POEA’s AIR-TIP provides free legal assistance to complainants who are victims of illegal recruitment and recruitment violations of licensed and unlicensed recruiters, trafficking-in-person, and violations of POEA Rules and Regulations by foreign employers.

DSWD
Department of Social Welfare and Development

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) have an agreement that will provide free legal assistance to clients of the DSWD.

Under the agreement, PAO will provide legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, children in conflict with the law (CICL), and local prospective adoptive parents who are biological parents or step-parents of the prospective adoptees in adoption cases.

Victims of domestic violence may avail of the service of the PAO in filing an application/petition for the protection order and /or civil action for damages.

PAO shall provide legal assistance to CICL in the following instances: when the CICL is under detention or otherwise deprived of liberty, and is in immediate need of counsel, and when the CICL is under custodial investigation without the assistance of counsel.

The PAO will only handle adoption cases when the prospective adopter is the biological parent or step-parent of the prospective adoptee, and the adopter is indigent.

You may be facing a legal issue right now and you need a lawyer to advise you. While a private legal team is ideal, sometimes the circumstances call for pro bono or free legal assistance. Here's a list of where to get free legal assistance in the Philippines. I'll be updating this directory from time to time:

Note: You have to contact them to know the requirements to avail of pro bono legal services. You have to apply. Going to them is not a guarantee that your case will be accepted.

Government Institutions

Public Attorney's Office (PAO)

From the website: The Public Attorney's Office exists to provide the indigent litigants, the oppressed, marginalized, and underprivileged members of the society free access to courts, judicial and quasi-judicial agencies, by rendering legal services, counselling and assistance in consonance with the Constitutional mandate that "free access to courts shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty" in order to ensure the rule of law, truth and social justice as components of the country's sustainable development.

Public Attorney's Office Central Office - 4th & 5th Floors DOJ Agencies Building, NIA Rd. corner East Ave., Diliman, Quezon City 
Hotline: (02) 929-9436; (02) 4262075; (02) 4262801; (02) 4262450; (02) 4262987; (02) 4262683 Local 106/107 (Office Hours) Local 159 (Outside Office Hours)Email. 

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)

They can assist you with legal matters. You can approach the head office, but I think the best way is to approach your local chapter first. See the directory of local chapters at http://www.ibp.ph/chapters.html

Department of Labor and Employment

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Building, Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines.

Law School Legal Aid Clinics

University of the Philippines - Office of Legal Aid (OLA)

From the website: The Office of Legal Aid (OLA) houses the clinical education program of the College of Law. It provides free legal assistance to indigent litigants. It is also actively involved in public interest cases. It was created for the purpose of inculcating in the experience of law students the concepts of public service and social involvement of the legal profession even as they acquire practical training in law practice under the guidance and supervision of the supervising lawyers and the law faculty.

Office of Legal Aid, Room 107, Malcolm Hall, UP College of Law, Diliman Quezon City (02) 9205514 - loc. 106

Ateneo Legal Services Center (ALSC)

From the website:The Ateneo Legal Services Center (ALSC) is a public interest center that provides professional, developmental, and ethical legal service to the poor and disadvantaged through a competently supervised student practice and clinical legal education program. Under the supervision of volunteer lawyers, law students assist in the handling of cases of indigent clients, and appear before trial courts under the Student Practice Rule. Students are provided with hands-on training through active participation in client interviews, consultations, research, preparation of court pleadings and motions, examination of witnesses, and trial advocacy.  ALSC also supervises and monitors the Law School’s Apprenticeship Program, including the accreditation of participating law firms and government agencies, to ensure that the thrusts of the Law School are pursued in the training of the students.

Ateneo de Manila University School of Law - No. 20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center 1200 Makati City, Philippines
Tel. No.: +63 (02) 899-7691 to 96 ; +63 (02) 729-2000 ext. 2304, 2306 to 2308 - Law School Office 12:00 NN - 9:00 PM (Monday - Friday) 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Saturday)

Sebastinian Office of Legal Aid (SOLA)

The office was created to serve as an outreach venue for legal services that will be provided to indigent and deserving parties who cannot afford the services of a lawyer. It maintains some fourth year law students who are enrolled in Practice Court subjects serving as law interns. These interns put into practice their learned knowledge by preparing pleadings in real cases and other legal papers for SOLA clients. They also appear in court following the real cases and other legal papers for SOLA clients. They also appear in court following the Student Practice Rule under the guidance and supervision of the supervising lawyers. This invaluable experience in the legal aid program prepares them to become future successful lawyers.

San Sebastian College – Recoletos Manila, Claro M. Recto Ave., Metro Manila

Monday – Friday (8:00am – 12:00nn & 1:00pm – 5:00pm)
Saturday (8:00am – 12:00nn) Telephone No.: 734-8931 local 313