Lawyers and law firms could get tax incentives when they render free legal services to poor clients based on the new law signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Republic Act 9999 or the Free Legal Assistance Act of 2010 sought to encourage lawyers to provide pro bono services to clients who can’t afford to hire lawyers.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said the President signed the measure, authored by Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, last Tuesday.

The new law, also known as the “Lapid Law,” grants participating lawyers or law firms tax deduction of up to 10 percent of their gross income.

“Provided, that the actual free legal services herein contemplated shall be exclusive of the minimum sixty-hour mandatory legal aid services rendered to indigent litigants as required under the Rule on Mandatory Legal Aid Service for Practicing Lawyers, under BAR Matter No. 2012, issued by the Supreme Court,” the law read.

To avail of the tax incentives, lawyers and law firms may apply for certification from the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) on rendering free legal services to the poor.

Lapid, a senatorial candidate of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, thanked the President for enacting his pet bill into law, which would ease the burden of the Public Attorney’s Office.

The former movie actor said RA 9999 would prevent the wrongful conviction of suspects due to inability to hire defense lawyers.

Lapid said he was inspired to pursue the free legal assistance bill after he saw an unfair conviction of a poor litigant when he was governor of Pampanga. When he was elected senator, Lapid claimed he worked silently to help poor people get free legal services.