The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) 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 and assistance".
It is an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ). It is led by chief public attorney Persida Acosta, who was appointed to the position on February 23, 2001, by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
History PAO was previously known as the Citizen's Legal Assistance Office (CLAO) which was created as a body under the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 1972 under the Integrated Reorganization Plan. It is mandated to provide free legal assistance to indigent people.
In 2006, the CLAO was renamed as the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) through Republic Act 9406. The renamed body retained its mandate.
List of chief public attorneys PAO is headed by the chief public attorney, whose tenure is not defined by law. Portrait Name Took office Left officeOffice President Ref.Reynold Fajardo19751997Citizens' Legal Assistance OfficeFerdinand MarcosCorazon AquinoFidel V. RamosJoseph EstradaPersida AcostaGloria Macapagal Arroyo February 23, 2001 incumbentPublic Attorney's Office Benigno Aquino III Rodrigo Duterte Bongbong Marcos
References
See also
Public defender
External links