Free Legal Assistance Group

 The FLAG is a non-profit legal aid organization that focuses on human rights matters.
The association, made up of human rights lawyers, day back to martial law.
Jose W. Diokno, Lorenzo Taada Sr., and Joker Arroyo created it in 1974 to help
political prisoners and other victims of martial law. President Ferdinand Marcos
established martial law in 1972, crushing all opposition. In the Philippines, anti-Marcos
campaigners were regarded as enemies of the state. Many were jailed, tortured, or
executed. FLAG pioneered the practice of training and deploying paralegals for “first aid
legal aid.”
What Effective Mechanism is in place to Respect, Protect, Fulfill, Human Rights?
 During Ferdinand Marcos’s regime, all activists, press, and national legislature who are
opposing Marcos were labeled as enemies of the state. FLAG aims to protect human
rights violations caused by the dictatorship of Late President Marcos.
 FLAG protected farmers, like victims of agrarian reform, and activists who were victims
of paramilitary abuses.
 FLAG's operations occasionally put the lives of lawyers on the line. Among the FLAG
attorneys assassinated during the dictatorship were Zorro Aguilar, Romraflo Taojo, and
Crisostomo Cailing, who have all been honored by having their names inscribed on the
wall of remembrance at the Philippines' Bantayog ng mga Bayani, which honors the
martyrs and heroes who fought against Marcos' authoritarian rule.
 Many were jailed, tortured, or executed. FLAG pioneered the practice of training and
deploying paralegals for “first aid legal aid.”
o WHAT IS FIRST AID LEGAL AID?
 Preparation of appeal, paper book, and document translation in judicial
processes. Servitude in any case or other legal procedure before a court,
authority, or tribunal. Providing legal guidance.
 It is FREE with the help of Free Legal Assistance Group
What are the other Free Legal Advice Groups or organizations in the Philippines?
 Public Attorney’s office (PAO)
o The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) was established to provide free legal
assistance to indigent clients in court and quasi-judicial processes.
o The PAO is your best bet for free legal aid, especially if you need it urgently and
have few funds.
o The workload and continuity of service of a PAO lawyer vs a private lawyer
differ.
o In 2017, a PAO lawyer handled 458 cases vs 40 for a private lawyer. Less time
per client.
 o Also, cases change frequently, therefore your PAO lawyer may change
throughout the process. You may work with several lawyers over the course of a
year.
 Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
o DOLE's anti-illegal recruitment drive is supported by an online legal aid service
run by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
o With the epidemic, the agency moved its services online to address contract
infractions, salary and benefit non-payments, and other forms of abuse.
o Also, the DOLE's Assist WELL program helps to return workers.
o Counseling during preliminary investigations and hearings of criminal cases for
illegal recruitment is included in the legal help.

 Department of Social Welfare and Development

o They already had a deal for free legal aid for the former's clients.
o The PAO will aid victims of domestic violence, youngsters in trouble with the
law, and individuals involved in adoption cases.

Sources:
FLAG
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/873563/in-the-know-flag
https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/publications/archive/dialogue/1_10/articles/579
Other FLAG in the Philippines
https://lawyerphilippines.org/philippine-free-legal-advice-groups/
Where to find FLAG organizations in the Philippines
https://grit.ph/free-legal-advice/