The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, popularly known as Quiapo Church, yesterday opened a ministry that will provide free legal assistance to the poor.

Father Aloysius Maranan, rector of the San Beda College of Law, said law student interns and law faculty alumni have volunteered to offer their services to devotees of the Nazarene in the archdiocese.

The launch of the ministry was attended by Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila and 45 graduating students from San Beda College of Law and volunteers from the Restorative Justice Ministry of Caritas Manila.

Election Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, a member of the San Beda College law faculty, also offered his services for free.

Sarmiento, a member of the 1987 Constitutional Convention, was instrumental in including in the Philippine Constitution the provision that free legal assistance is a right of every citizen.