ILOILO City – The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) is encouraging the indigent and less fortunate residents of Western Visayas not to hesitate in seeking free legal services and programs offered through its 26 district offices across the region.
The PAO aims to ensure that socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals have unrestricted access to courts and quasi-judicial agencies, fulfilling the constitutional mandate that no person shall be denied free access to courts due to poverty.
Atty. Jose Edmund E. Guillen, the Regional Public Attorney for PAO Region 6, expressed concern that many are still unaware of the free services provided by PAO.
These services include free legal representation in judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, mediation and conciliation services, inquest assistance, documentation, and oath administration services, legal information dissemination, outreach programs, jail visitation, and legal counselling.
“Our office’s primary mandate is to offer free legal assistance. For instance, if you or your child is arrested and you need help, there is absolutely no charge for PAO’s services,” Guillen said.
He highlighted the common misconception that fees are charged for accessing PAO services, which deters some from availing themselves of the necessary legal support.
Guillen reiterated that the office is constitutionally mandated to provide assistance and is funded by the government.
However, Guillen noted that only those who are indigent or less fortunate are eligible for PAO’s services, excluding those who are financially capable.
Among the most sought-after services are legal assessments of cases and free notarization.
PAO-Region 6 has 26 district offices. Those in key cities such as Iloilo City, Bacolod City, and Roxas City are the busiest, catering to at least 200 clients daily, revealed Guillen.
Guillen acknowledged a shortage of public lawyers in some district offices but remained hopeful that this gap would be addressed within the year following the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) approval to hire additional lawyers.
PAO-Region 6 handled numerous cases in the past years: 8,429 criminal cases, 427 civil cases, and 1,277 administrative cases in 2023; and projections for 2024 include 9,679 criminal cases, 362 civil cases, and 1,359 administrative cases.
Here’s the complete list of PAO-Region 6’s 26 district offices: Iloilo City District I, Iloilo City District II, Bacolod City District Office I, Bacolod City District Office II, Barotac Viejo, Guimbal, Guimaras, Dumangas, Janiuay, Ibajay, Cadiz City, Estancia, Bago City, Kabankalan City, Culasi, Mambusao, Passi City, San Miguel, La Carlota, Silay City, Kalibo, San Jose, Roxas City, Himamaylan, San Carlos City, and Sipalay City.
PAO-Region 6 has 169 public attorneys and 50 staff employees./PN
