ANNUAL ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT

OF THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

FOR THE YEAR 2012

Prefatory Statement

Forty (40) Years of Noble Existence. As the Public Attorney’s

Office (PAO) celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, it can truly say,

with full pride, that it remained steadfast in complying with its mandate

as provided under the Constitution and other laws. Since its inception

on 23 October 1972 and up to the present, the PAO has been a gauge in

determining excellent public service.

As the legal defender and champion of the less fortunate members

of society, the accomplishments of the PAO speak how fervent it is in

responding to the legal needs of its clients. This report speaks how

truthful and zealous it is to fulfill its mandated duties, existing for its

mission which is to provide the indigent litigants, the oppressed, the

marginalized and the underprivileged members of the society free

access to courts, judicial and quasi-judicial agencies, by rendering legal

services, counseling and assistance. Unperturbed by different obstacles,

such as limited resources and manpower, the accomplishments of the

PAO were indeed remarkable.

Albeit the volume of cases being handled by all public attorneys ,

they remained faithful in the performance of their sworn obligation,

doing their best in the highest interest of public service. Evidently, these

positive results were product of the efforts and hard work of every

public attorney. Clients assisted by the office witnessed its sincerity and

determination to continuously improve its services in order to help in

the expeditious dispensation of justice.

By reason of the enactment of Republic Act No. 9406, the mandate

of the PAO has been expanded. It does not only assist the accused in

criminal cases but also gives assistance to the victims of crimes.

Consequently, Victims Assistance Units were created to assist those who

are victims of mass disasters, natural calamities, tortures, massacres,

extrajudicial killings, Violence Against Women and their Children

Republika ng Pilipinas

Kagawaran ng Katarungan

Tanggapan ng Manananggol Pambayan

(PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE)

DOJ Agencies Building, NIA Rd. cor. East Ave. 1104 Diliman, Quezon City Telephone Nos. 929-90-10/929-94-36; Fax No. 927-68-10

2

(VAWC), Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and other similar

cases of persons who have requested legal assistance from the PAO, on

a first-come first-served basis. Also, under the said law, the PAO is

mandated to handle civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial

cases of the indigents. Filipinos can now truly say that they can feel the

helping hands of the government every time they encounter problems

involving legal issues, considering that the PAO is always available to

extend free legal assistance not only during office hours but for twenty-

four (24) hours and seven (7) days a week. Indeed an enormous

contribution in the name of government service.

The Victims Assistance Unit of the PAO, led by the Chief Public

Attorney, filed on behalf of Bonita Baran, charges of attempted murder,

physical injuries, and serious illegal detention against the latter’s former

employers and such are still on going trial at Quezon City courts. Baran

was a former domestic helper, who was allegedly detained and

maltreated by her previous employers until her right eye got blind. The

civil cases filed by the PAO against Sulpicio Lines, Inc. (SLI) on behalf of

the relatives of the victims of the M/V Princess of the Stars maritime

tragedy are also on going trial. These only exemplify the PAO’s sincerity

in complying with its mandate to assist not only those persons being

accused of, but, also those who are victims of crimes.

For the continuous delivery of exceptional public service, the PAO

has organized and is incessantly giving trainings, seminars and

conventions for its public attorneys and support staffs. Through this,

efficient and effective legal service to the PAO’s mandated clients would

be served thereby.

All the efforts and hard work of the Office were in support and in

compliance with H. E. President Benigno S. Aquino III’s marching order

to render services that would be felt by the ordinary Filipinos for the

same to be regarded indeed as “Serbisyong Nararamdaman ng Ating

Mamamayan”. The PAO, as advocate of the indigents, will continue to

deliver and fulfill its mandate as the principal law office of the

government in providing free legal services and assistance to qualified

clients in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial

cases. The PAO assures the Filipino people that it will remain compliant

with the mandate of the law and the directive of the President for each

government agencies to render an exemplary service. This is in

conjunction with His Excellency’s statement which enjoins public

servants to practice unity and cooperation. His Excellency said:

3

"Mahalagang tumahak tayo sa iisang landas walang unahan, walang

tulakan, walang hilahan sa halip, nagtutulungan."

Although PAO has proven its dedication to serve its indigent

clients, as shown by this accomplishment report, it will continue its

quest toward the enhancement of its service and will be persistent to be

more effective, efficient and responsive in assisting those who are in

need of its services. The Public Attorney’s Office, through the leadership

of its Chief Public Attorney and the collective effort of its entire human

resources, will vigorously pursue its mission in the attainment of an

exceptional public service. Undoubtedly, the accomplishments of the

Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) speak for itself.

I. THE OFFICE

Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9406, entitled “An Act Reorganizing and

Strengthening the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO)” established the PAO

as an independent and autonomous Office attached to the Department

of Justice only for the purpose of policy and program coordination. It

gave the PAO an expanded mandate which is to provide free legal

services and assistance to indigent clients, other qualified persons and in

the exigency of the service, when called upon by proper government

authorities to render such service to other persons, subject to existing

laws, rules and regulations, in all criminal, civil, labor, administrative

and other quasi-judicial cases. Its Central Office is located at the DOJ

Agencies Building, NIA Road corner East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon

City. The regional and district/sub-district offices, on the other hand, are

strategically located nationwide responding to indigent clients from 80

provinces, 140 cities, 1,494 municipalities and 42,026 barangays which are

in dire need of legal assistance.

Currently, the PAO has 17 regional offices and 287 district and 8

sub-district offices. Most of the offices are situated at the Halls of Justice

nationwide along with the courts and other offices involved in the

administration of justice. However, some district offices are housed at

rented office spaces like the PAO-Manila District Office, etc.

II. PAO LAWYERS, THE REGIONAL AND DISTRICT

OFFICES, AND THE COURTS

Despite the high turn-over rate of PAO lawyers, primarily due to

resignation to engage in private law practice, transfer to the National

4

Prosecution Service (NAPROSS), to the judiciary, to other government

owned and controlled corporations, and heavy workload, among others,

the PAO has a total of 1,532 public attorneys, who actively handle

criminal and civil cases before 2,128 courts nationwide. About 49 of

them devote themselves to appealed cases before the Court of Appeals,

the Supreme Court and the Office of the President. However, the

handling of criminal and civil cases and representation of clients in

courts as above-stated is only a portion of the public attorneys’

functions. They also appear in and handle administrative and labor

cases, the so-called non-judicial cases, and such other limited and

special cases and services as shown hereafter.

Below is a table indicating the number of existing offices and

assigned lawyers in each region as follows:

REGION DISTRICT / SUB-DISTRICT

OFFICES

NUMBER OF PUBLIC

ATTORNEYS

Central Office 104

National Capital Region 16 275

Cordillera Administrative

Region 13 / 2 sub-district 51

Region I

Ilocos Region 21 87

Region II

Cagayan Valley 15 65

Region III

Central Luzon 27 / 1 annex 95

Region IV-A

CALABARZON 34 117

Region IV-B

MIMAROPA 11 44

Region V

Bicol Region 20 65

Region VI

Eastern Visayas 18 113

Region VII

Central Visayas 21 / 1 RSACU 87

Region VIII

Western Visayas 24 88

Region IX-A

ARMM 3 / 1 sub-district 32

Region IX-B

Zamboanga Peninsula 14 / 1 satellite office 58

5

Region X

Northern Mindanao 17 / 2 (1 RSACU) 86

Region XI

Davao Region 11 59

Region XII

SOCCSKSARGEN 11 62

Region XIII

CARAGA 11 44

TOTAL 295 1,532

The establishment of district offices in different regions of the

country complements the agency’s mission to provide litigants free

access to courts, judicial and quasi-judicial agencies by rendering legal

assistance. The PAO envisions the establishment of adequate district

offices to enhance the accessibility of services of the PAO, such that

justice could efficiently be delivered despite geographical

fragmentation.

III. SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A. CLIENTS ASSISTED AND CASES HANDLED

The statistical figures below show the total number of indigent

clients assisted and the total number of cases (judicial and quasi-

judicial) handled by the PAO and its proportionate relation to the 1,532

lawyers for the period covering January to December, 2012.

Total No. of Clients Assisted 6,735,603

Total No. of Cases Handled 710,457

Average No. of Clients Assisted by Each Lawyer 4,397

Average No. of Cases Handled by Each Lawyer 471

B. ACQUITTALS AND OTHER FAVORABLE DISPOSITIONS

In spite of their overwhelming case loads and the number of

clients assisted, the public attorneys ably represented indigent accused

in court and facilitated the release and favorable disposition of cases of

indigent clients of PAO, by acquittals, dismissal of cases, or for some

other reasons, their cases were favorably disposed of, as shown in the

graph below.

6

The graph above shows the figures of acquittals, dismissal and

other favorable dispositions in criminal cases for the year 2012, totaling

111,059.

C. WINNING AND APPEALED CASES

Out of 1,532 lawyers at the PAO, there are about 49 of them who

attend to appealed cases, particularly those pending before the Court of

Appeals, the Supreme Court and the Office of the President. For

criminal cases alone, a total of 159 favorable decisions were obtained

for the year 2012 by the PAO – Special and Appealed Cases Service. The

table below shows the breakdown of figures, to wit:

Acquittals from Reclusion Perpetua 93

Acquittals from Reclusion Temporal 66

TOTAL 159

Aside from criminal cases, the Special and Appealed Cases Service

(SACS) also handles civil and special cases such as appeals from the

decision of NLRC, SSS and GSIS. In those cases handled, a total of 306

favorable dispositions were obtained by PAO-SACS from January to

December 2012.

7

D. JAIL VISITATION AND DECONGESTION PROGRAM

Regular Monthly Jail Visitation of District Offices Nationwide:

No. of Inmates / Detainees

Monthly Jail Visitation of

District Offices

Nationwide

Interviewed & Assisted 225,003

Provided Legal

Representation in Court 221,578

Released 48,490

This outreach program for inmates has been intensified by the PAO-

Central Office Legal, Medical, Dental and Optical Jail Visitation

Program which is being personally led by the Chief Public Attorney.

This program was started in 2007 and is being continuously conducted

in various jails in the Philippines. The table below shows the output of

the project for the year 2012, to wit:

VISITED JAIL DATE LEG

NO. OF

BENEFICIARIES

FOR LEGAL

ASSISTANCE

(ADVICE)

NO. OF

BENEFICIARIES

FOR MEDICAL

ASSISTANCE

NO. OF

BENEFICIARIES

FOR DENTAL/

OPTICAL*

ASSISTANCE

TOTAL NO.

OF INMATES

RELEASED

1 Makati City Jail February

14, 2012 1ST

216 137 49

A total of 6,819

inmates were

released from

various jails in

Metro Manila

and nearby

provinces

visited by the

PAO-Central

Office

2 Pasay City Jail 292 251 44

3 Malabon City

Jail

February

16, 2012 2ND 205 264 90

4 Maximum

Compound March 30,

2012 3RD

29 13 6

5 Medium

Compound 60 94 20

6 San Jose del

Monte City Jail April 12,

2012 4TH

36 86 23

7 Sta. Maria,

Bulacan City Jail 6 6 1

8 Caloocan City

Jail April 13,

2012 5TH

197 239 76

9 Valenzuela City

Jail 60 175 64

10

Malolos City

Jail (Provincial

Civil Security &

Jail

Management)

April 25,

2012

6TH

145 157 94

11 Meycauayan

City Jail n/a 39 16

12

Quezon City Jail

– Female Dorm

Camp Karingal

May 23,

2012 7th 148 205 29

8

13 Molave Youth

Home n/a 73 42

A total of 6,819

inmates were

released from

various jails in

Metro Manila

and nearby

provinces

visited by the

PAO-Central

Office

14 Maximum

Compound May 24,

2012 8th 99

94 7

15 Medium

Compound 132 18

16 Pasay City Jail June 26,

2012 9th

80 177 70

17 Makati City Jail 48 144 28

18

Manila City Jail

– Male Dorm

June 27,

2012 10th

73 101 80

Manila City Jail

– Female Dorm 147 127 44

19 Manila Youth

Reception 33 94 50

20 Navotas City Jail July 19,

2012

11th

76 185 50

21

Quezon City Jail

– Female Dorm

Camp Karingal

July 19,

2012 134 183 50

22 Maximum

Compound December

11, 2012 12th

25 60 11

39*

23 Medium

Compound 135 220

33

95*

24

Correctional

Institution for

Women December

12, 2012 13th

220 284 69

136*

25 Mandaluyong

City Jail 35 110

29

74*

26 Quezon City Jail

December

17, 2012 14th

72 187 26

151*

27

QC Female

Detention

Center

52 210 28

100*

28 Manila City Jail

(Male)

December

18, 2012 15th

125 214

33

114* (total no. for

both Manila City

Jail dorms)

29 Manila City Jail

(Female) 63 81 23

30 Pasay City Jail 52 76 14

35*

31

SICA Metro

Manila District

Jail December

21, 2012 16th

12 62 0

46*

32

Female Dorm of

Metro Manila

District Jail

19 43 0

49*

TOTAL 2,894 4,523 1,217

839* 6,819

E. LEGAL/INQUEST PROCEEDINGS ASSISTANCE

On their scheduled duties, the public attorneys and staff of the

PAO-Central Office have alternately been providing legal and inquest

proceedings assistance even during night time, weekends and holidays

since October 2009. For this purpose, the PAO hotline, 929-9436 (local

9

106 or 107 during office hours and local 159 beyond office hours) is open to

the public 24/7.

In September 2010, the coverage of this program was widened for

the benefit of the people that are being served by the regional and

district offices of the PAO nationwide. Since then, the said offices have

been rendering legal assistance (e.g. legal advice, attending to the legal

needs of suspects in the police stations within the territorial jurisdiction

of the concerned PAO regional/district offices) up to 10:00 p.m. everyday

(including weekends and Holidays) but the assigned PAO inquest

public attorneys and staff therein remain on call after 10:00 p.m. during

their respective scheduled duties whenever there is an inquest in the

said police stations.

A total of 17,459 clients benefited from the services provided by

the PAO consisting of inquest assistance, legal advice/counseling and

documentation at the above duty stations covering the period January

to December 2012.

IV. CASE LOAD STATISTICAL REPORT AND

ACCOMPLISHMENT

A. RENDITION OF JUDICIAL SERVICES

1. REGULAR SERVICES

a) CRIMINAL CASES

10

From January to December, 2012, the PAO handled a total of

444,793 criminal cases; of this total, 175,870 are newly received cases and

268,923 are carry-over from the previous year.

Out of the 161,736 terminated criminal cases from January to

December 2012, 102,313 cases or about 63.26% thereof were favorably

disposed by the respective Public Attorneys assigned to handle the

same.

b) CIVIL CASES

For the year 2012, the office has handled a total of 51,099 civil cases

consisting of newly received and carry-over cases. During the same

period, a total of 13,803 were terminated.

11

c) ADMINISTRATIVE CASES PROPER

The PAO handled a total of 9,549 administrative cases consisting

of 6,675 carry-over cases and 2,874 newly received cases from January to

December, 2012. A total of 1,933 cases were terminated.

d) PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE CASES

For the year 2012, the office handled a total of 60,231 cases at the

Prosecutor’s level, 26,411 of which are newly received and 33,820 are

carried over from the previous year. Out of the said total number of

cases, 21,368 were terminated.

12

e) LABOR CASES

In Labor cases, the PAO was able to handle a total of 20,721

complaints from January to December, 2012, 4,950 of which were

disposed of.

2. LIMITED SERVICES

The office has extended limited services to accused in criminal

cases on arraignment, pre-trial, promulgation of sentence only and in

13

other stages of the case. It assisted a total of 1,018,305 accused from

January to December 2012.

3. SPECIAL LEGAL SERVICES (Pursuant to Sec 14-A of R.A. 9406

and MOAs)

From January to December, 2012, the PAO served a total of 17,446

clients under Special Legal Services.

"SEC. 14-A Powers and Functions. - The PAO shall independently

discharge its mandate to render, free of charge, legal representation,

assistance, and counselling to indigent persons in criminal, civil,

labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases. In the exigency

of the service, the PAO may be called upon by proper government

authorities to render such service to other persons, subject to

existing laws, rules and regulations."

B. RENDITION OF QUASI-JUDICIAL SERVICES

1. MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION

The office also renders mediation and conciliation services as part

of its quasi-judicial function. For the period covering January to

December 2012, it handled a total of 421,796 disputes and resolved a

total of 298,232 thereof.

2. INVESTIGATION (R.A. 9745 or Anti-Torture Law)

For the year 2012, the PAO conducted a total of 295 investigations

of cases involving torture.

14

‚Section 11. Assistance in Filing a Complaint. - The CHR and the

PAO shall render legal assistance in the investigation and

monitoring and/or filing of the complaint for a person who suffers

torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or

punishment, or for any interested party thereto.‛

C. RENDITION OF NON-JUDICIAL SERVICES

1. INSTANT / OUTREACH SERVICES

The office has rendered instant / outreach services to 3,853,602

clients such as legal documentation, counseling and administering of

oaths for the year 2012.

2. INQUEST ACTIVITIES

From January to December 2012, the PAO assisted a total of 11,386

clients during inquest investigations

3. BARANGAY LEGAL OUTREACH AND VISITATION

15

In the barangay outreach activities conducted by the office from

January to December 2012, it assisted a total of 120,915 clients.

4. LEGAL AID INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

WOMEN CLIENTS

AND CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW

Under Republic Act No. 9262 (R.A. No. 9262), otherwise known as

the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act and Republic

Act No. 9344 (R.A. No. 9344), otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice

and Welfare System Act, as well as the subsequent pertinent issuances,

the PAO is specifically mandated by the law to extend legal assistance to

women and their children who are victims of violence and to facilitate

the release and proper disposition of Children in Conflict with the Law

(CICL), particularly those who were fifteen years old or below at the

time of the alleged commission of the crime.

To this mandated task, the PAO is continuously giving special

attention to the cause of women and children in so far as the criminal

justice system is concerned.

16

The graphs above show the number of women and children

assisted by the PAO for the year 2012. From January to December, 2012,

the office handled a total of 91,730 and 20,125 cases involving women

and CICL, respectively.

The graphs above show that from January to December 2012, a

total of 36,362 and 7,856 cases were terminated involving women and

CICL, respectively.

The above data show that the PAO successfully exceeded and

surpassed its target for the year of 2012.

17

In spite of the limited number of lawyers and support personnel

of the agency, not to mention its meager budgetary allocation, the PAO

has managed to carry out its mandate with rewarding output.

It is humbly submitted that the above data manifest and indicate

the continuous trust and faith of the people in the performance of the

agency.

It is viewed that when the agency performs its duties and

responsibilities with the highest standard of efficiency and dedication, it

gives its humble share in converting and transforming public apathy

and chaos into trust and faith to the criminal justice system and

ultimately to the entire administration.

V. THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY

A. The Office of the Chief Public Attorney received/answered 57,110

communications from January to December, 2012. The breakdown is as

follows:

I. Communications to / from the Office of the Chief

Public Attorney

Total No. of

Communications 57,110

A. Communications from the Executive Support

Service

16,106

1. Appointments 480

2. Memoranda 637

3. Memorandum Orders 336

4. Memorandum Circulars 2

5. Office Orders 152

6. Reassignment Orders 56

7. Travel Orders 9

8. Special Orders 1

9. Other Communications

9.1. Signed by CPA 2,078

9.2. Signed by Executive Lawyers 12,355

B. Communications from Other Services 3,865

1. Administrative Service 2,326

2. Legal Research Service 732

3. Field Operations and Statistics Service 286

18

4. Financial Planning and Management Service 144

5. Special and Appealed Cases Service 377

C. Communications from Regional Offices 6,727

1. Region I 348

2. Region II 235

3. Region III 704

4. Region IV 1,140

5. Region V 498

6. Region VI 437

7. Region VII 334

8. Region VIII 289

9. Region IX / ARMM 299

10. Region X 316

11. Region XI 251

12. Region XII 228

13. CAR 136

14. CARAGA 291

15. NCR 1,221

D. Communications from OP, OVP, Senate & HOR 398

E. Communications from Other Offices 25,128

1. Department of Justice 514

2. Supreme Court 2,812

3. Court of Appeals 13,274

4. National Labor Relations Commission 1,412

5. Other Communications 6,635

6. Applicants 481

F. Publications 1,333

1. “Say Mo Attorney?”, People’s Tonight 137

2. “Dear PAO,” Manila Times 537

3. “Magtanong kay Attorney,” Bulgar 562

4. “Atorni First,” Pinoy Parazzi 97

G. EMAILS 3,553

1. Legal Assistance 2,481

2. Monthly Reports 818

3. Applicants 28

4. Other emails 226

19

B. The Office of the Chief Public Attorney served 19,528 clients

during this period.

C. The Chief Public Attorney served as resource person in the

following events:

1. Guest of Honor/Speaker, 108th Founding Anniversary of the Bulacan

State University, where she delivered the presentation entitled,

“Empowering the Women and Other Marginalized Groups for

National Development”, December 5, 2012;

2. Guest Speaker, Barangay Legal Information Dissemination

conducted in Bacolod City, lecture on the Katarungang

Pambarangay Law, upon the invitation of Hon. Carl V. Lopez,

Councilor, City of Bacolod, November 29, 2012;

3. Speaker, 14th Annual Conference of the International Corrections

and Prisons Association (ICPA), October 28 – November 1, 2012,

Mexico City;

4. Lecturer, Seminar-Workshop on the Codes and References for the

Public Attorney’s Office, co-sponsored by the United States

Agency for International Development (USAID) and American

Bar Association-Rule of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI); December 6-7,

13-14, 2012, Bayview Park Hotel, Manila, November 15-16 and

May 14, 2012, Cebu City; September 6-7, 20-21 and July 16, 2012,

Bayview Park Hotel, Manila; June 19, 2012, Laoag City; and April

16, 2012, Davao City;

5. Guest Speaker, Students’ Night / UE Barrister Send-Off, September

22, 2012, Bayview Park Hotel;

6. Lecturer / Guest Speaker, Educational Seminar on “Justice

Awareness Through Television Mainstream”, September 14, 2012,

Southern Luzon State University; Lucban, Quezon;

7. Guest Speaker / Legal Resource Person, Opening of Bayanihan

Center’s SingTel and Globe Kababayan Canteen, sponsored by

Globe; August 25, 2012, Singapore; and

20

8. Lecturer, Lecture on Katarungang Pambarangay for the Local

Government of Bacoor, Cavite, February 27, 2012, Alima School,

Bacoor, Cavite.

D. The Chief Public Attorney personally handled and/or led the

following cases and/or rendered legal assistance to the following

individuals, to wit:

1. The 71 civil cases filed by the PAO against Sulpicio Lines, Inc.

(SLI) on behalf of the victims of the M/V Princess of the Stars

maritime tragedy, are on going trial at RTC-Branch 51, Manila;

same with the 64 civil cases filed against SLI at RTC-Branch 10,

Cebu City. The criminal case for Reckless Imprudence is also

ongoing at RTC-Branch 5, Manila;

2. The PAO, through Chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, filed on behalf

of Bonita Baran, charges of attempted murder, physical injuries,

and serious illegal detention against the latter’s former employers

at the Prosecutor’s Office in Quezon City on August 2, 2012. Baran

was a former domestic helper, who was allegedly detained and

maltreated by her previous employers until her right eye got

blind.

On September 14, 2012, the Public Attorney’s Office started

appearing as counsel in court for Ms. Bonita Baran, under the

control and supervision of the trial prosecutors. The cases where

the PAO is assisting and coordinating with trial prosecutors are:

a. Criminal Case No. Q-12-178028 entitled, ‚People of the

Philippines versus Analiza Catahan-Marzan y Tarroza alias

‘Analiza Marzan’ and Reynold Marzan y Tan,‛ for Serious

Illegal Detention pending before Regional Trial Court-

Branch No. 77 of Quezon City;

b. Criminal Case No. 159544-45 also entitled ‚People of the

Philippines versus Analiza Catahan-Marzan y Tarroza alias

‘Analiza Marzan’ and Reynold Marzan y Tan,‛ for Attempted

Homicide pending before Metropolitan Trial Court- Branch

No. 40 of Quezon City; and

c. Criminal Case No. 159537-43 for Serious Physical Injuries

with the same title and also pending before Metropolitan

Trial Court- Branch No. 40 of Quezon City.

21

E. The Chief Public Attorney received the following prestigious

awards, to wit:

1. Special Award for Excellence in Public Service from the Aliw Awards

Foundation, Inc., given during the 25th Annual Aliw Awards

presentation on 26 November 2012 at the Manila Hotel;

2. Best Public Service Program Host Award for the Reality Mediation

Show “Public Atorni”, Star Awards, November 18, 2012, Ateneo

De Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City;

3. Outstanding in Public Service and Legal Jurisprudence Award from

Gawad Amerika, November 3, 2012, Hollywood, California;

4. Plaque of Merit from the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Legal

Service, October 15, 2012, Camp Crame;

5. Exemplary Achievement Award from the Filipino Academy of Movie

Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), in recognition of her valuable

contributions in advancing the cause of FAMAS to enhance the

growth of Philippine movie industry, as well as in ensuring equal

access to justice for the Filipino citizenry, including the people in

the movie sector such as showbiz personalities and movie writers,

given on September 25, 2012, at the Manila Hotel;

6. Gawad Tanglaw for Public Atorni*, the reality mediation program

being hosted by Chief Public Attorney Persida V. Rueda-Acosta.

She was given this award on March 15, 2012 at the Perpetual Help

College in Las Piñas City. Gawad Tanglaw stands for Gawad

Tagapuring mga Akademisyan ng Aninong Gumagalaw, which is an

organization of renowned members of the academe;

7. Darling of the Press Award from the Philippine Movie Press Club

(PMPC), given during the 28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies, on

March 14, 2012, at the Meralco Theater, Ortigas City;

8. Certificate of Merit awarded by the Office of Scholarships and

Student Services of the University of the Philippines, Diliman,

Quezon City, for being a University Scholar (for the Second

Semester of School Year 2010-2011) in the Ph.D-SD course at the

College of Social Work and Community Development, given on * Public Atorni, was used to be shown on TV5 but is now being aired on Aksyon TV, from Monday to Friday

at 7:00 p.m., at no cost to the PAO, for the program is produced by the Associated Broadcasting Corporation

(ABC).

22

February 22, 2012 at the Cine Adarna (UP Film Institute), UP-

Diliman; and

9. Gawad Chancellor from the Honorable Chancellor Caesar A.

Saloma on behalf of the University of the Philippines-Diliman,

for being a student achiever and recipient of the 2011 Most

Outstanding Public Servant Award from the Gawad Amerika

Foundation, given on February 22, 2012 at the Cine Adarna (UP

Film Institute), UP-Diliman.

F. Legal and Medical Assistance to Victims of Typhoon Pablo

On December 27, 2012, the PAO Forensic Team and its Medical

Team distributed relief goods and medicines to the victims of typhoon

Pablo at New Bataan, Campostela Valley in Davao City with Bishop

Efraim Tendero. PAO’s legal team from the Central Office and public

attorneys in Davao Peninsula also provided legal assistance in the

preparation of Affidavits of Loss, reconstitution of titles and other legal

documents for victims who were in need of the same. Three hundred

thirty-seven (337) individuals benefitted from the medical/legal

assistance rendered by the PAO.

G. Climate Change Consciousness

The PAO in coordination with The Climate Reality Project (TCRP)

advocated for Climate Change Consciousness on November 19, 2012 at

the PAO-Central Office. This was in connection with the observance of

the National Climate Consciousness Week from November 19 – 25,

2012, per Memorandum Circular No. 35 signed on 14 August 2012 by

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., authorized by H.E. President

Benigno S. Aquino III.

H. 3rd National Convention for the Rank-and-File Employees of the

Public Attorney’s Office

The PAO conducted for its more than 1,000 non-lawyer

employees, the 3rd National Convention for the Rank-and-File Employees of

the Public Attorney’s Office that was held on October 22-24, 2012 at the

Manila Hotel. The said convention coincided with the 40th Founding

Anniversary of the PAO.

I. Seminar-Workshop on the Codes and References for the Public

Attorney’s Office Conducted

23

The Seminar-Workshop on the Codes and References for the Public

Attorney’s Office, co-sponsored by the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID) and American Bar Association-

Rule of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI); was conducted on the following

dates with corresponding venues: December 6-7, 13-14, 2012, Bayview

Park Hotel, Manila, November 15-16 and May 14, 2012, Cebu City;

September 6-7, 20-21 and July 16, 2012, Bayview Park Hotel, Manila;

June 19, 2012, Laoag City; and April 16, 2012, Davao City.

J. Creation of Victims Assistance Unit at the PAO – Central Office,

Regional and District Offices, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9406

(through Memorandum Order No. 133, Series of 2012, dated July 12,

2012)

The purpose of this is to address the needs of victims of mass

disasters, natural calamities, torture, massacres, extrajudicial killings,

and Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC), Children in

Conflict with the Law (CICL) and other similar cases of persons who

have requested legal assistance from the Public Attorney’s Office, on

first come-first served basis.

K. Retrieval in Romblon

The PAO Forensic Team went to Romblon on July 5, 2012, and in

cooperation with divers from the Philippines Coast Guard, was able to

retrieve one human remains from the wrecked M/V Princess of the

Stars, 70 feet below sea level, off the coast of San Fernando, Sibuyan

Island in the province of Romblon. This is in connection with the legal

assistance which the PAO is giving to the relatives of the victims of the

M/V Princess of the Stars maritime tragedy, the latter being the clients of

the PAO since June 2008.

L. Spot inspection conducted

Chief Acosta and the Spot – Inspection Team from the PAO –

Central Office conducted spot inspection activities, pursuant to

Department Order No. 109, dated March 8, 2005, at different district

offices on various dates of 2012, to wit:

District Office/s Date of Inspection

1. Virac, Catanduanes District Office

2. San Pablo, Laguna District Office

September 27-28, 2012

September 14, 2012

24

3. Tagaytay City District Office

4. Bacoor City District Office

5. Imus City District Office

6. Cavite City District Office

7. Trece Martirez District Office

8. Dasmariñas City District Office

9. Naga City District Office

10. Lucena City District Office

11. Mauban, Quezon District Office

12. Infanta, Quezon District Office

13. San Pedro, Laguna District Office

14. Batangas City District Office

15. Gumaca, Quezon District Office

16. Calauag, Quezon District Office

17. Rosario, Batangas District Office

18. San Mateo, Rizal District Office

19. Marikina City District Office

20. Antipolo City District Office

21. Iloilo City District Office

22. Nasugbu, Batangas District Office

23. Lemery, Batangas District Office

24. Taal, Batangas District Office

25. Balayan, Batangas District Office

26. Lipa City, Batangas District Office

27. Tanauan, Batangas District Office

28. Tagaytay City District Office

August 31, 2012

August 30, 2012

August 30, 2012

August 30, 2012

August 30, 2012

August 30, 2012

August 27-28, 2012

March 16, 2012

March 16, 2012

March 16, 2012

March 16, 2012

March 15, 2012

March 15, 2012

March 15, 2012

March 13, 2012

March 9, 2012

March 9, 2012

March 9, 2012

March 6-7, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 20, 2012

The spot inspection made on the foregoing district offices

generated these favorable results, viz:

a) Opening of PAO-Rodriguez District Office, sponsored by the

Municipal Mayor of Rodriguez, the Honorable Cecilio

Hernandez; and

b) Transfer of PAO-Antipolo District Office to a more spacious

unit, sponsored by the City Mayor of Antipolo, the

Honorable Danilo Leyble.

Spot inspection activities were conducted to ensure proper

monitoring and accountability of PAO field offices.

M. Codes and References for the Public Attorney’s Office Launched

The “Codes and References for the Public Attorney’s Office‛ was

launched last February 13, 2012 at the PAO-Central Office, with the

25

Honorable Secretary of Justice Leila M. De Lima as Guest of

Honor/Speaker. The said activity was also graced by Mr. Scott Ciment,

Esq., Country Director of the American Bar Association-Rule of Law

Initiative (ABA-ROLI). ABA-ROLI funded the publication and launch of

the said PAO manual.

N. Legal Assistance to Victims of Typhoon Sendong

On January 3, 2012, 82 victims of typhoon Sendong were given legal

assistance and 102 documents (e.g., affidavits of loss) were made in

favor of the said clients of the PAO in an evacuation center at Tibasak,

Macasandig, and Cagayan de Oro.

Earlier, on December 22, 23, 26-29, 2011, through this endeavor,

the public attorneys in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City were able to

render the following pro bono legal services, to wit:

No. of typhoon Sendong

victims given legal assistance

1,884

No. of documents made 3,967

This is in connection with PAO Memorandum Order No. 293

dated December 19, 2011, issued by Chief Public Attorney Persida V.

Rueda-Acosta, directing the public attorneys of Northern Mindanao and

Dumaguete City to put up legal aid clinics at the evacuation centers

within the territorial jurisdiction of their respective districts.

O. Best Practices of the Public Attorney’s Office: SOJ’s Choice

The presentation given by Chief Public Attorney Persida V.

Rueda-Acosta on the Best Practices of the Public Attorney’s Office was

selected by the Secretary of Justice herself, the Hon. Leila M. De Lima, as

one of the five best presentations during the DOJ’s Executive Planning

Session on January 12-13, 2012 at Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City.

VI. ADMINISTRATIVE CONCERNS

The PAO, in the delivery of its mandated mission, is

complemented by several administrative units, which render support

role to its technical operations. Altogether, they managed to carry out its

operations with utmost efficiency and dedication.

A. HUMAN RESOURCES

1. PERSONNEL COMPLEMENT

26

The table below shows the number of authorized, filled, and

unfilled positions in the PAO for year 2012, to wit:

Authorized Filled Unfilled

Lawyers 1,536 1,532 4

Support Personnel 1,025 1,023 2

TOTAL 2,561 2,555 6

2. PERSONNEL MOVEMENT

From January to December 2012, the movement of personnel in

the PAO is shown here below:

Lawyer Support Staff TOTAL

Recruited 85 16 101

Promoted 18 2 20

3. PERSONNEL ENHANCEMENT

The PAO has conducted series of seminars to enhance the capability,

knowledge and professional skills of participants in order to mold them

into efficient and truly competitive legal counsels.

It has been the Office practice to provide continuous seminars and

trainings to its personnel specifically lawyers to keep them abreast with

the recent development in law and jurisprudence. Thus, ensuring the

efficiency and capability of the public attorneys in protecting the rights

of the oppressed and indigents.

Aside from trainings and seminars conducted by the office, lawyers

and support personnel from the PAO have likewise attended other

trainings, seminars, workshops and conferences upon invitation of other

government and nongovernment organizations.

From January to December, 2012, there were about 68 seminars

attended by PAO personnel. A total of 1,307 lawyers and 44 support

staff were registered in attendance.

B. FINANCIAL RESOURCES

The approved appropriation for the Office for the year 2012 was

Php 1,457,100,000.00 and was fully released. SARO releases amounted

to Php 299,287,000.00 intended to cover funding for SSL 3 and 4, and

Productivity Enhancement Incentive. The amount of Php 10,122,709.00

27

was also released for the Terminal Leave benefits of retired employees.

The total obligations for FY 2012 amounted to Php 1,766,507,880.00.

C. LIBRARY SERVICES

The PAO, through its library services, envisions giving better and

more efficient means of assisting its clientele, through modern and

advance information assisted technology such as the Internet, modern

fax machines, and telephone units for a fast transmission of output.

In connection thereto, the PAO Central Office library has vertical

files, a data bank on legal references articles, presidential issuances, rules

and regulations and the like, is alphabetically kept at the filing cabinets

and always updated. The library also has flat files of PAO winning cases, a

continuing project where all the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals

decisions on acquittal cases of PAO were compiled by year starting 1999

to 2012. PAO newspaper clippings from year 2005 to 2012 can also be

found therein. Winning cases from appellate courts and Supreme Court

decisions on penalty reduction are filed by subject, like murder case,

rape case, homicide, labor case and others.

The PAO library purchased and distributed a total of 1,411 copies

of legal books and reference materials amounting to Php 922,763.00 to

PAO Regional Offices and District Offices. The PAO also has a yearly

subscription of the Lex Libiris Bulletin which is a compilation of laws,

jurisprudence circulars, memoranda, etc. in a compact disc (CD) which

is being supplied by CD Technologies Asia, Inc.

The PAO Library, through its personnel, was able to collate a total

of 463 news releases from twelve (12) various broadsheets and tabloids

from January to December of 2012.

Through its tri-media linkages, the PAO has continuously been

rendering legal advice to the general public through the newspaper

columns Say Mo Attorney? in People’s Tonight; Atorni First in Pinoy

Parazzi; Dear PAO, published in The Manila Times, and Magtanong Kay

Attorney, also in Bulgar. A total of 147 articles for Say Mo Attorney?, 358

articles for Dear PAO, 361 articles for Magtanong kay Attorney, and 97

articles for Atorni First were published and clipped into file for the year

2012.

28

D. OFFICE EQUIPMENT

For the period covering January to December, 2012, the PAO

purchased and distributed the following office equipment, to wit:

* Filing Cabinet (4 drawers)

Note: From 2011 budget, delivered in 2012

27 pcs

* Filing Cabinet (2 drawers)

Note: From 2011 budget, delivered in 2012

5 pcs

* Biometric Time Recorder 253 units

* HP printer 63 units

* Chairs

Swivel 42 units

Monoblock 150 units

* Fax Machine 3 units

* Refrigerator 2 units

* Office Table 10 units

* Computer Table (from 2011 budget) 32 units

* Computer Chair 27 units

* Chair, visitors 4 units

* Air-conditioning Unit 1 unit

* Epson LX-300 Printer (from 2011 budget) 32 units

* Laptop Computer 1 unit

* Desktop Computer (from 2011 budget) 32 units

* Computer Monitor 4 units

* Paper Shredder 2 units

Since her assumption into office, it has been the battle cry of the

Chief Public Attorney to put into oblivion the traditional impression

with public offices where there is a dearth of office supply and obsolete

and/or worn out office equipment. With the purchase of the foregoing

office furnishings, such as chairs, filing cabinets, tables, and posture

chairs, PAO personnel were able to perform their duties in a more

29

office-friendly environment. Needless to say, it somehow contributed to

the continuously swelling public trust to the services of the PAO.

In addition, the computerization program of the office saw the

continuous upgrading of existing computer units in order to cope up

with the fast changing times and technology.

VII. TECHNICAL OPERATIONS

A. PAO-NLRC SUB-STATION

By virtue of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the

Public Attorney’s Office and the National Labor Relations Commission

(NLRC) located at Banawe in Quezon City, the PAO maintains its sub-

station at the NLRC to serve its clients.

The sub-station facilitates the rendition of legal assistance to

complaining workers before the NLRC and aims to expedite the

proceedings; hence, it makes its services more accessible to complaining

workers.

The efficiency and effectiveness of the office have been proven for

years. For the period covering January to December, 2012, a total of

9,446 clients were accommodated and given legal assistance.

B. RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION

For the year 2012, a total of 1,924 research works were duly

accomplished by the Public Attorney’s Office through the Legal

Research Service.

For the said period, the PAO, through the Legal Research Service,

was able to answer 162 out of 210 legal queries and these were

published in newspapers of national circulation. These include legal

questions from the public which were either directly addressed or

referred to the PAO. The sudden upsurge in the number of research

works was brought about by the increasing public trust coupled with

consistent tri-media linkages as means of education and information

dissemination of the PAO. The accessibility of the Chief Public Attorney

herself for public services has, for one reason, made a great difference.

30

C. INTENSIFYING INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

Aside from its linkage to print media for public education and

information dissemination, the PAO has also cooperated with the

broadcast media (radio and television) to strengthen and sustain its

legal services operations.

Toward this end, public attorneys continuously provide on-the-

air, legal counseling on DZIQ Radyo Inquirer, DZRV (Radio Veritas),

Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), DWDD-AFP (Ugnayan ng Anghel ng

Masa), GMA 7 (Imbestigador and Unang Hirit), DZMM, ABS-CBN 2

(Aksyon Ngayon, Exklusibong Explosibong Expose (XXX), Umagang

Kay Ganda, DZRH, DZRV (Radyo ng Bayan), TV 5 (Public Atorni, Face

to Face) and almost all other radio and television stations. The same

activities are also undertaken by selected public attorneys in the

different regions.

D. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS AGAINST PAO

EMPLOYEES

For the year 2012, a total of 375 administrative complaints were

received and 127 cases were resolved and terminated through the PAO

- Legal Research Service.

The PAO, through the fortitude of the Chief Public Attorney, has

been trying to preserve the integrity not only of the entire agency but of

each lawyer and personnel appointed in the office.

VIII. CONTINUING PLANS AND PROGRAMS

A. Creation of an Information and Communication Technology

(ICT) Division/Section which will develop an internal operating system

and address all Information Technology (IT) concerns, for the rendition

of prompt and effective legal services to the indigents;

B. Organization, establishment and maintenance of database,

case management, and monitoring system for all cases handled by PAO

nationwide;

C. Compliance with ISO 9000 and the Government Quality

Management Systems Standards (GQMSS), pursuant to Administrative

Order No. 161 dated October 5, 2006;

31

D. Maintain and upgrade the PAO Forensic Laboratory for the

furtherance of investigation being conducted relative to cases handled

by this Office, pursuant to Republic Act 9745 (Anti-Torture Act of 2009),

Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their

Children Act of 2004, Republic Act 8353 (Anti-Rape Law) and other

existing laws mandating the PAO to assist the victims or accused on a

first come-first served basis;

E. Open a Medical and Dental Clinic at the PAO-Central Office

for the health benefit of its employees;

F. Policy advocacy and coordination for the establishment of

victims protection;

G. Continuously carry out activities and outreach programs for

the welfare of prisoners and inmates such as the PAO’s free Legal and

Medical Jail Visitation and Decongestion Program;

H. Continuation of the “PAO-UNICEF Seminar on Violence

Against Women and their Children Act (R.A. 9262), Comprehensive

Juvenile Justice and Welfare System Act (R.A. 9344) and Other Related

Laws” under the revised training modules;

I. Continuation of the “PAO’s Advanced Training/Workshop

in Forensic Medicine and Science” pursuant to DOJ Memorandum

Circular No. 1, dated January 7, 2008, as part of manpower capacity

building;

J. Continuous promotion of good governance,

professionalism, and anticorruption measures;

K. Continuous improvement of communication facilities and

other office equipment;

L. Vigorous efforts to implement compensation scheme and

financial incentives of the PAO lawyers to further motivate them in

discharging their duties pursuant to R.A. No. 9406 (PAO Law);

M. Continuous capacity building, enhancement of the skills and

competence of PAO lawyers and staff through the holding of

workshops and seminars;

32

N. Increase the number of lawyers and support staff assigned

in each of the Regional and District Offices for a more effective and

efficient delivery of services pursuant to Republic Act 9406 (PAO Law);

O. Continuous coordination with the tri-media for the

advancement of the PAO outreach activities, more particularly,

dissemination of free legal advice, counseling, and mediation;

P. Vigorously pursue the rendition of prompt, effective and

adequate legal services to the indigent sector;

Q. Maintain programs and policies in achieving virtues of

excellence, integrity, professionalism and moral values of all PAO

lawyers and staff;

R. Endeavor to meet the ideal situation of one PAO lawyer

being assigned to one court for a more effective and efficient

representation of clients;

S. Empowerment of the PAO’s capacity in promoting Gender

and Development (GAD) Program of the government such as the

creation of projects and activities that will promote gender sensitivity;

T. Continuous active participation of the PAO in the on-going

anti-corruption, pro-poor and social justice programs of the Aquino

administration; and

U. Continuous cooperation with the courts in the case

decongestion program being spearheaded by the Supreme Court.

PERSIDA V. RUEDA-ACOSTA

Chief Public Attorney