ITINUTULAK sa Kamara ang isang panukalang batas na nagkakaloob ng tax breaks sa mga abogadong nagsisilbing counsel para sa indigenous peoples (IP).
Sa ilalim ng House Bill 7867, ang National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) ay inaatasang magtalaga ng counsel de oficio para sa indigenous cultural communities (ICC) o IPs na may nakabimbing mga kaso sa ahensiya ng pamahalaan.
Ang naturang NCIP-appointed pro bono counsel ay bibigyan ng tax-free honoraria o per diem tulad ng nakasaad sa NCIP rules.
“Any member of the Philippine Bar who has rendered free legal services to the indigent ICCs of at least 100 hours within one year will be entitled to direct deduction from his income tax due in the amount of P100,000,” ayon pa sa panukala.
“In recognition of the selfless and committed efforts of these legal counsels who tirelessly give pro bono services to the underprivileged and marginalized, particularly indigent ICCs/IPs, the said legal counsels must be entitled to tax credits should deducted from their gross income,” sabi ni Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, na isa sa may akda ng panukala.
Layon din ng House Bill 7867 na amyendahan ang Republic Act 8371 o ang The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997, upang ma-institutionalize ang pagkakaloob ng pro bono legal services sa mahihirap na ICCs/IPs.