Father, son in legal service to elderly, poor, marginalized
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There is a father and son team in the legal service for the poor, elderly, underprivileged and the marginalized sectors of society.
Senior citizen’s rights advocate and election lawyer Romulo B. Macalintal publicly acknowledged the services of about 2,000 lawyers of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).
His son, Victor, is a PAO lawyer who is officer-in-charge of the PAO’s office in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan.
The PAO lawyers had their 9th Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) grand national convention last Thursday, May 7, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
The elder Macalintal was the guest lecturer on the rights and benefits of senior citizens.
“You are the defenders of the marginalized and the pride of the legal profession,” he told the PAO lawyers.
He said he did not hesitate and accepted right away the invitation to be a guest lecturer as he pointed out that his primary motivation was the simple, profound desire “to be in the same room with the souls who give a voice to the voiceless."
Looking back on his lawyering career, Macalintal told the PAO lawyers: “In all my years of practice, I have had a fulfilling journey, but seeing the work you do makes me realize what I missed. I missed the opportunity to be part of a mission where the only currency is justice, and the only reward is the restored dignity of the poor.”
He also said: "I am ably represented in this aspect by my son, Atty. Victor Macalintal, who is also a proud PAO lawyer."
At the same time, the elder Macalintal commended PAO Chief Persida V. Rueda Acosta for her “tireless efforts in raising the PAO banner, ensuring that its lawyers stand at par with the finest private practitioners—not merely in compensation, but in prestige, dignity and professional excellence.”
Chief Acosta presented Macalintal with a miniature Lady Justice statue and a certificate of appreciation as guest lecturer.