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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1972 as Citizen's Legal Assistance Office |
| Jurisdiction | Philippines |
| Employees | 2,096 lawyers (2018)[1] |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Department of Justice |
| Website | pao |
The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) of the Philippines is the public defender for all courts in the Philippines. It also provides other legal services to the poor. According to its mission statement it exists to provide to the poor "free access to courts, judicial and quasi-judicial agencies, by rendering legal services, counselling(sic) and assistance..."[2]
It is an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ). It is led by the Chief Public Attorney. Persida Acosta is the incumbent chief public attorney.[3]
She was appointed to the position on February 23, 2001 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
- ^ Buan, Lian (November 4, 2019). "In Numbers: Public Attorney's Office under Acosta". Rappler. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
- ^ "Public Attorneys Office Vision and Mission". pao.gov.ph. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ "Public Attorneys Office Profile of Chief Public Attorney". pao.gov.ph. Retrieved February 11, 2024.