MANILA: The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday signed an agreement with the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS) that would expand access to free legal services. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and PALS president Teodoro Pastran signed the memorandum of agreement. "This momentous occasion is testament to the unwavering efforts of PBBM's Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) political slogan that no Filipino shall be left behind as the country moves forward to progress," Remulla said in a news release. 'With this initiative, we unconditionally open the doors of justice for the welfare of more Filipinos, regardless of their social status.' Under the memorandum of agreement, the DOJ Action Center (DOJAC) will endorse to law schools with legal aid clinics clients who cannot be considered indigents or are disqualified from availing its services or of the Public Attorney's Office. The DOJAC shall foster and boost its internship/externship programs and conduct capacity building trainings to provi de practical skills and knowledge to law students assigned to the DOJ. PALS, for its part, would agree to accept endorsements from DOJAC. If unable to accommodate the same, it shall endorse to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or lawyers. Moreover, PALS shall promote the DOJ internship program among its member schools and actively participate in the trainings formulated by the agency. Meanwhile, both parties assume the responsibility of advocating jail decongestion activities centered on providing convicts with better access to legal services. The agreement shall be in effect unless revoked through a mutual deal and shall be subjected to review six months from the date of execution. Source: Philippines News Agency