FPJ Panday Bayanihan Partylist has officially sealed their partnership with the Legal Aid Society of the Philippines (LASP) to reaffirm their commitment to strengthen free legal services to those who need it most.
FPJ Panday Bayanihan’s First Nominee Brian Poe together with LASP Executive Director Joseph Migriño signed a memorandum of understanding last October 24 where it will focus on the cases that almost a decade-pending in courts.
Through this partnership FPJ Panday Bayanihan will sponsor the weekly legal aid clinic of LASP which will be conducted in Manila.
Based on the data from the Supreme Court as of December 2021, the Republic Act 9262 or Violence Against Women and Children showed that Region 3 topped with most numerous cases with 1,705 cases, Region 4 has 1,626 while National Capital Region has 2,117.
Raped with minor victim and or accused, there are 3,548 cases in Region 3; and 3,383 in Region 4 while NCR has 2,064.
Raped cases or RA 8353 in Region 4 reached to 2,776; Region 11 with 1,289 and in Region 7 has 1,269
Poe stressed that justice is essential to accelerate progress in the country, noting that those who have less in life should have more in the law.
“Justice is the third pillar of our organization. This is just the beginning, and we hope that more groups will support the Legal Aid Society of the Philippines in their efforts to aid our fellow countrymen and women in need,” Poe said.
LASP Executive Director Migriño also stated that it is not easy to find allies who share the same advocacy of access to justice, which is why they are grateful to have a partner in FPJ Panday Bayanihan who share the same values and commitment to effect meaningful change in the country,
“We always found it difficult to find partners who share our advocacy of access to justice in and on itsel. Most organizations want to align to specific interest groups. Those are good advocacies, but we feel that they do not align with our values and commitment, especially since we’re essentially a startup NGO. After getting to know Brian and his organization, we realized that we’re not alone in this. We really look forward to working with his team to effect meaningful change in our country,’ Migriño said.
It was also learned that the specific factors why do court cases took so long in the Philippines these include the adversarial nature of the judicial process, the use of split trials, attorney’s delaying tactics, large caseloads of attorneys, attorney incompetence and failure to prepare for trial, judges’ incompetence and ignorance of the law, large court caseloads, and delay in the service of notices.
Through this partnership, FPJ Panday Bayanihan continues to advance Sen. Grace Poe’s mission of justice through meaningful legislative reforms and genuine public service.
