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On 10 February 2009, the Supreme Court En Banc approved in a Resolution the Rule on Mandatory Legal Aid Service for Practicing Lawyers (Bar Matter 2012).

The rule, which shall take effect on 1 July 2009, shall govern the mandatory requirement for practicing lawyers to render free legal aid services in all cases (whether, civil, criminal or administrative) involving indigent and pauper litigants where the assistance of a lawyer is needed. It shall also govern the duty of other members of the legal profession to support the legal aid program of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

For details and to view the complete text of Bar Matter 2012, click here.

On 3 June 2008, the Supreme Court promulgated a resolution in Bar Matter 1922 requiring all lawyers to indicate the number and date of issue of their MCLE certificate of compliance or exemption in pleadings (as well as motions) filed in courts and quasi-judicial bodies. MCLE stands for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education program of the Supreme Court for the members of the Philippine legal profession.

Failure to disclose may result in the dismissal of the case and the expunction of the pleadings from the records.

The full text of the resolution, which becomes effective sixty days following its publication (or on 24 August 2008), may be viewed HERE.