The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Monday vowed to “act in the best interests of its indigent clients through fair, humane and efficient justice system based on the rule of law.”
During yesterday’s live Zoom meeting with PAO officials, Dr. Persida Rueda-Acosta said PAO “will always uphold the human rights of their clientele and represent them in various courts without any hesitation.”
‘We thank all our clients who continue to trust us up to now,” she said.
“However, we regret not to serve the others in cases when their opponents in court have been the first ones who have approached us. They may get their own lawyers since PAO lawyer cannot fight with another PAO lawyer in the same case,” she added.
She asked for more public understanding.
“Truth and justice shall prevail. One can only be freed from criminal liability if one is innocent of the crime, and if there is no evidence that could be presented against one,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Rueda-Acosta announced that 2,500 PAO lawyers have been required to participate in the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) seminar at the Philippine International Convention Center in October.
All lawyers are mandated to complete every three years 36 hours of continuing legal education activities approved by the Supreme Court, she said.