Legal services rendered by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) are free.
This was stressed by PAO as it warned the public against scammers claiming to be offering the services of the agency in exchange for money.
“Libre po services ng PAO. Wala po bayad serbisyo (PAO’s services are free. There is no need to pay for the services),” PAO’s advisory on Sunday, April 25, stated.
“Kung may manghingi ng pera, isumbong n’yo po agad sa PAO isulat sa (Should anyone ask for money, report this immediately to the PAO and send letters to) PAO Central Office, 5th Floor, DOJ Agencies Building, NIA ROAD corner East Avenue, Quezon City,” it said.
“Huwag paloko sa scammers (Don’t be fooled by scammers),” it stressed.
Last Saturday, April 24, PAO Chief Persida V. Rueda Acosta warned the public against a bogus Facebook account that has been using her name for fraud.
“I received a message that this fake account is being used to defraud and victimize innocent ones,” Acosta said.
She warned that creating bogus accounts of real persons is punishable under the Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.