The Quezon City government, under the initiative of Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, held a free legal consultation at the legislative building of Quezon City Hall on Tuesday.

The weekly program runs from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and is led by the Office of the Vice Mayor’s lead legal consultant, Paul Gabriel Merida, in partnership with lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Quezon City Chapter.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Merida said the initiative aims not only to provide free legal services but also to break the perception that seeking legal help is intimidating and costly.

“The heart of this project is not only just to help, rather, we give hope to underprivileged that we know are not represented, not well-represented because they are not financially stable to get lawyers,” he said.

Merida added that he hopes the project will encourage more people to seek assistance for their legal concerns, regardless of how big or small the issue may be.

“My message to our people that feel that they will need to spend money because they will be seeing a lawyer to ask legal queries...this is the avenue that you don't need to be scared with any expenses since we are doing this out of compassion to help,” he said.

According to one of the event organizers, the program was primarily initiated by the vice mayor and later reinforced by the Unified Legal Aid Service order of the Supreme Court, which took effect on 3 February 2025.

Under the Unified Legal Aid Service, lawyers are required to render at least 60 hours of free legal service every three years to qualified beneficiaries who cannot afford adequate legal representation. Eligibility for pro bono assistance is determined by the lawyer providing the service.

Merida said the team is open to hearing all types of legal concerns and welcomes anyone regardless of social or economic status.

He also disclosed plans to expand the program by assigning lawyers to action offices in various districts across the city.

Merida said residents need not wait for scheduled consultation days to seek help.

“What I tell my old clients is that even if this is not a daily thing, before this used to be only on Tuesdays, but if there are problems they are free to come here,” he said.

Asked whether non-residents of Quezon City may avail themselves of the service, Merida said the office remains open to assisting them.

“Although, yes, we are in the Quezon City area, this is our project for the whole district. We are not closing the door even if they are not from Quezon City because in the eyes of God we know that if you need help, we are willing to help. We will not decide who to help based on where you're from,” he said.