Republic Act No. 9999 (RA 9999), otherwise known as Free Legal Assistance of 2010, is now fully operational after Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Lilia Guillermo and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno promulgated its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) last September 8, 2022. It grants lawyers tax deductions for legal services rendered to indigent clients.

According to Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid, the said Act aims to encourage private lawyers and firms to provide free legal services to indigent Filipinos to decongest the workload in the Public Attorney’s Offices. In addition, it is to make certain that every individual incapable of affording legal service will be provided with not just free but also competent and independent counsel, preferably of his own choice.

“This is a landmark victory for our countrymen, especially for those who are in dire need of free legal assistance but are unable to get the same from our government offices. Free legal services from private practitioners are now within their reach should they need them,” he said.

R.A. No. 9999 was signed into law during the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2010 but twelve (12) years has passed and it remained unimplemented since its IRR was not yet signed. It was in this administration where Lapid sent a letter to Commissioner Lilia Guillermo dated July 11, 2022, requesting the prioritization of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for RA No. 9999 from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“Finally, the Lapid Law is ready to roll. Twelve years since it was signed into law, its Implementing Rules and Regulations or IRR was finally signed on September 8,” Lapid stated.