Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. is pushing for expanded legal protection for senior citizens through House Bill No. 10004, which seeks to amend the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 by granting free legal assistance to elderly Filipinos.

The proposed measure entitles senior citizens to free legal advice, counseling, preparation of pleadings and legal documents, and legal representation in civil, criminal, administrative, and quasi-judicial proceedings, subject to specific exceptions. It also grants a 20% discount on legal and filing fees in civil cases involving real property, in accordance with Supreme Court rules.

Under the bill, legal assistance will be provided through government legal assistance offices and coordinated legal aid mechanisms, in line with existing legal aid programs.

Since assuming office in July 2025, Lazatin has consistently advanced measures aimed at improving the welfare of senior citizens. These include House Bill No. 2422 establishing Bale Pusu homes for abandoned elderly citizens nationwide, House Bill No. 5068 proposing a universal monthly social pension of P2,000 for all senior citizens, and House Bill No. 9640 providing free glaucoma screenings in government health facilities.