The Supreme Court (SC) announced the upcoming launch of the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) Portal, a centralized digital platform aimed at providing free legal assistance to underprivileged and indigent Filipinos.

According to a report by RH Boy Gonzales, the initiative is part of the court’s efforts to implement the ULAS rules effectively.

The formal launch of Phase 1 of the ULAS Portal will take place on March 3, 2026, at the SC En Banc Session Hall. The portal is designed to streamline how lawyers report and monitor their mandatory pro bono services to those who cannot afford legal representation.

The initial rollout will features on registration of covered lawyers and organizations, including secure authentication, account management, and profile setup; submission of Manifestation of Intent to Aggregate by registered organizations, allowing coordinated reporting of compliance; accreditation of Legal Outreach Programs and Missions, ensuring organized delivery of legal aid services.

Phase 1 also includes verification of registered organizations and submission of their intent to "pool" compliance, while providing a structured system for accrediting legal aid initiatives.

Under the ULAS Rules, covered lawyers are required to render at least 60 hours of legal aid services every three years to individuals who cannot afford adequate legal representation. This mandate is grounded in Article III, Section 11 of the Constitution, which guarantees free access to courts and quasi-judicial bodies and ensures that poverty does not deny anyone access to legal assistance.

Key partner agencies for the ULAS program include:

• Commission on Human Rights

• National Anti-Poverty Commission

• Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor

• National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

During the launch, the ULAS Office (ULASO) will also hold an Inter-agency Partnership Ceremony, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the four partner agencies. These organizations will work with ULASO to identify and refer individuals eligible for free legal services.

The launch will be livestreamed on the Supreme Court’s official social media accounts.

"Lawyers are encouraged to join online, as the program will feature instructional videos on how to navigate the Portal, along with insights and best practices from lawyers on how to comply effectively with the ULAS requirement," said SC. The public can also view the livestream to learn how qualified beneficiaries can access free legal services through ULAS.