Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo paid tribute to about 2,500 lawyers of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) for “providing indigent, oppressed, marginalized and underprivileged Filipinos free access to the courts.”
Gesmundo was guest during the first day last Oct. 11 of PAO’s 7th Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Accredited National Convention of Public Attorneys at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
Addressing the public lawyers led by PAO Chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, Gesmundo said the Supreme Court fully supports PAO’s mission of providing free legal assistance.
“This is also why I have nothing but the deepest admiration for all of you who have chosen to dedicate yourselves to the delivery of public service, and to the fulfillment of this promise,” he said.
“The work that you do underscores the very premise that allows a judicial system to exist and thrive: that disputes will not be decided by wealth or by power, but will be settled, without fear or favor, by truth; that no matter where we come from or how much money we have in our pockets, we remain equal in the eyes of the law,” he stressed.
The Chief Justice also recognized the critical role of the PAO in ensuring the speedy disposition of cases, especially of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
“In updating myself on the accomplishments of PAO over the past year, I found that our public attorneys were able to serve over nine million clients and handle over 787,000 cases, including thousands of PDLs who were released from detention in 2021 alone,” he said.
“I must also say that the lawyers of PAO have done excellent work in handling appealed cases. I understand that you were able to secure favorable dispositions in 1,702 appealed cases in just last year, with your total favorable disposition rate exceeding your targets despite the hindrances of lockdowns and quarantines,” he added.
TAGS: #GESMUNDO #PAO
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