QUEZON CITY – The Human Settlements Adjudication Commission signed a memorandum of agreement with the University of the Philippines College of Law Office of Legal Aid (UP OLA) on Wednesday, 23 March 2022.

 

Under the said agreement, indigent litigants from the National Capital Region will be referred to UP OLA for possible representation and legal assistance.

 

“I always make it a point to look at the marginalized people who need our services. Whether they are right or wrong, we make sure that we don’t keep them waiting,” said Commissioner Exconde.

 

He also emphasized that everyone has a home to go to, and majority of them live in subdivisions. Under R.A. 11201, cases involving subdivisions fall under the jurisdiction of the HSAC.

 

Dean Vistan added that they are always looking for ways to work with fellow government institutions, like the HSAC, to help marginalized and underrepresented Filipinos.

 

Also present during the signing were for HSAC: Chief Regional Adjudicator for Regional Adjudication Branch of NCR, Atty. Edgardo Samson; Planning and Management Service Director, Atty. Arturo Dublado; Officer-in-Charge for the Enforcement Division of the Legal Services, Atty. Michael Vincent Gaddi; Executive Assistant Jess Christian Ramirez; and for UP: Associate Dean, Atty. Solomon F. Lumba; and Director for Clinical Legal Education Program, Asst. Prof. Theodore O. Te.

 

According to the UP College of Law website, the OLA administers the clinical education program of the college. Senior law students will be working under the direct supervision of a lawyer to provide legal assistance to indigent litigants.