STUDENTS LEGAL AID AND ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE (SLAAC) By: Ma. Christina S.

Reyes College of Law Representative to the USC Introduction As UP Students, we are expected to uphold what is right and what is just. It is but logical that we construe these terms differently. To be truly fair and equitable, we cannot simply impose our own definition as to such terms; we cannot simply say that a certain act is right without the proper legal basis. Ideally, every citizen of the Philippines is aware of the laws that our effective in our country even the Civil Code states that [i]gnorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith1. But the truth of the matter is, not everyone is aware of their rights under the law. Worse is that even if they do know their rights, they do not have basic knowledge on the remedies available to them in case these rights are violated. Nature and Function The Students Legal Aid Assistance Committee (SLAAC), even if initially established to provide basic legal aid or service, need not be confined to such functions. Legal assistance should first stem from legal knowledge; those who are willing to help should be as wellequipped as possible. This is where the SLAAC comes in. Vision for the (Academic) Year Ahead This Academic Year (2012-2013) SLAAC should not be a committee which simply waits for cases to appear before it could act. It should be one which actively empowers not just UP students but every member of the UP community by providing them with information that is both relevant and timely. As they say in the College of Law, a great lawyer is one who does not let the case get to court. SLAAC should provide not just the adversarial avenue to assert the rights of individuals, it must primarily exemplify other solutions to it. It must provide not just the remedies but the means of achieving its goals, and the alternatives thereto. Objective 1. To provide basic legal knowledge to members of the University of the Philippines University Student Council; 2. To extend such basic knowledge to members and volunteers of the SLAAC in furtherance of the function and purpose of the committee; 3. To extend such basic knowledge to the local councils of the University of the Philippines; 4. In accordance with item 3, to establish liaison with the local colleges (akin to legal desks in the local government units); 5. To establish connections with NGOs, offices and even LGUs and create partnerships with such entities to further serve the purpose of the committee; 6. Such other acts or activities which may be directly or indirectly related to the basic functions of the committee.
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Article 3, RA 386: New Civil Code

Structure

A. The SLAAC Chairperson shall: 1. Submit and present during regular meetings the Committee report including performance reports of each committee member. 2. Perform such other functions necessary to further the function, purpose and objective of the committee. B. The SLAAC Secretary shall: 1. Keep the minutes and records of the committee; 2. Maintain all documents and important correspondences of the committee with third parties; 3. Assist the SLAAC Chairperson in performing tasks which the latter may validly delegate to it. 4. Perform such other functions as may be assigned or delegated by the SLAAC Chairperson. C. The SLAAC Internal Affairs & Logistics Head shall: 1. Be in charge of contacting the participants for the scheduled projects (i.e. communicate with local councils to establish local legal desks to provide staple attendees to activities and seminars); 2. Ensure that the venue/s, equipment and necessary materials are available for eact activity or seminar; 3. Perform such other functions as may be assigned or delegated by the SLAAC Chairperson. D. The SLAAC Legal Seminar Head shall: 1. Consolidate of create materials necessary for the legal/training seminars to be conducted; 2. Perform such other functions as may be assigned or delegated by the SLAAC Chairperson. E. The SLAAC External Affairs & Publicity Head shall:

1. Be in charge of coordinating with NGOs, LGUs, organizations, etc. that could take part in the proposed projects of the committee, or those who would like to propose other projects; 2. Perform such other functions as may be assigned or delegated by the SLAAC Chairperson. Projects I. Amendment of the USC Constitution A year-round and continuous project which aims to help adapt the constitution with the modern times II. Year Round Projects a. Legal Seminars i. For USC Council Members and Committee Members 1. Paralegal Training for USC and SLAAC Members - To better equip members of the USC, specifically those part of the SLAAC with information and knowledge to be used in better performing the functions of the committee and the council - To be handled by the SLAAC Commissioner and possible volunteers from the College of Law (for the specific purpose) - Target date: 2-3 Weekends in May 2. Paralegal Training for Volunteers - Once volunteers have been gathered, they will be briefed as to the functions and objectives of the committee, as well as the projects to be handled throughout the year. - Volunteers would have to undergo continuous seminars to be able to stay up to date with innovations of the law and to better serve those who would seek assistance from the committee. - To be handled by the SLAAC members with help from EdRes - Target date: Once every other month - Meetings of the Committee shall be called once a month or whenever necessary (to be determined by the SLAAC Chairperson) ii. For Students 1. Basic Law for College Students - To help equip student with the basics of the 1987 Constitution, the Civil Code, the Revised Penal Code and other pertinent laws. 2. Paralegal Training for Local Councils - With the aid of the LCC, this serves to establish constant communication with the local councils. - Target date: July

3. Labor Law for Graduating Students - Basic principles of labor law to guide the graduating batch and better prepare them to make informed decisions. - Target date: February or March iii. For the UP Community 1. RA 9262: Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act - Communities within and around UP campus deserve to be informed about this law which protects the right of women, as well as their children, from different forms of violence. - Target audience: women of the communities, local government officials - May be done in coordination with a UP Law class which makes this particular topic part of the seminars they conduct each year. - Target Date: February or March (to coincide with Womens Month) b. Legal Primers To release relevant and timely primers regarding the basics of a law during the month it is celebrated or commemorated III. Special Projects (Projects for a Limited Period) a. CLAUSE: Bar Operations (BarOps) 2012 (College of Law Assistance for Undergraduates Empowerment) To help the undergraduates who would like to enter law school by preparing them for the Law Aptitude Exam (LAE) through a series of reviews. And to incorporate seminars or immersion programs to truly make them experience law school life. In turn, to help the College of Law by providing a pool of volunteers for the upcoming Bar Operations in October 2012 Target Dates: o Review/Immersion: September o BarOps: October b. STRAW Quick Response Team Educating the students is just a part of the function of the SLAAC, it is providing remedies to the legal issues which forms the other part. With the STRAW Committee, to better enforce the rights and remedies due to an injured party Create guidelines and concrete steps to be followed in case of such violations. To release primers regarding the guidelines as well as the remedies with the help of EdRes. Target release date: January

c. Continued Partnership with Students Alliance against Sexual Harassment (SASH) Last year, SASH held the anti-sexual harassment seminar entitled Kwatro o Kwarto To continue and possible strengthen the joint advocacies of SASH, with the help of the Gender Committee, STRAW To engage the UP OASH and the UP Gender Office d. Basic Legal Services To provide for possible free notarization of documents, especially for dormers Legal consultations