PH Embassy in Paris, Hosts IBP Free Legal Service for Filipinos in France

Attorney Rosalie Dela Cruz discusses the details of the legal issue of two of our kababayans in Marseille. (Paris PE photo)

PARIS 09 November 2018 — About a hundred Filipinos availed themselves of the free legal services offered by the Philippine Embassy in Paris, in partnership with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), held on 13-16 October 2018 in Paris and on 20-21 October 2018 in Marseille, France. 

Attorney Minerva M.B. Ambrosio, the National Director for Legal Aid of the IBP, and Attorney Rosalie Dela Cruz, the Deputy Director for Special Projects at the IBP National Committee on Legal Aid, provided free legal advice to Filipino clients mostly on family and civil law. One-on-one pro bono legal sessions were held either face-to-face via Skype with our kababayans.

Part of the “Magtanong Kay Attorney” program included live streamed discussions by Attorney Ambrosio and Attorney Dela Cruz on the most common concerns on legal issues including nullity of marriage, divorce, adoption, and child custody. The livestreamed discussions reached almost 40,000 views while the FB posts had 37,403 views.

“Providing legal advice on the concerns of the overseas Filipinos is very important. It will inform them of their rights and responsibilities under the PH law, ease their burden, and help them to have a better family situation,” Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro said. She also noted that the family dynamics is affected by parents or spouses who work far away from home.

Majority of the overseas Filipinos who availed themselves of the free legal service expressed their appreciation for the program. One Filipina who consulted with the lawyers, said that she realized that what has been causing her worry for some time just required a simple legal solution. Many expressed gratitude that the legal service was free.

As part of the Embassy’s continuing mission to provide services to overseas Filipinos, this is the second year that the Free Legal Service is conducted by the Embassy, in cooperation with the IBP and Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs. END

For more information, visit www.parispe.dfa.gov.ph, http://www.facebook.com/PHinFrance or https://twitter.com/PHinFrance.

Attorney Minerva M.B. Ambrosio renders free legal advice to an overseas Filipino via Skype. (Paris PE photo)

Attorney Minerva M.B. Ambrosio and Attorney Rosalie Dela Cruz with Filipino overseas workers in Marseille, who availed the free legal service conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Paris, in partnership with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, on 20-21 October 2018. (Paris PE photo)

A Filipino family poses for a photo with Attorney Rosalie Dela Cruz (second from left) and Attorney Minerva M.B. Ambrosio (third from left) during the free legal service in Marseille. (Paris PE photo)