Justice Secretary Boying Remulla raised the need for additional Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) lawyers.
On Monday, Aug. 12 Remulla lamented the lack of lawyers who extend free legal assistance for indigent clients.
“Sa laki ng ating bansa, kanina iniistima namin, ang dami ng Pilipinong nangangailangan ng serbisyo ng abogado. By calculations alone, 7 million people need the help of PAO at kulang na kulang tayo sa tao pa rin,” he said during the 8th Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Accredited National Convention of Public Attorneys in Pasay City.
“Kasi ang alam ko, punong-puno ang schedule niyo, minsan apaw apaw, Monday to Friday, talagang pag umabsent kayo, pag halimbawa nagkasakit, ang inyong load dumudoble… Well, you’re the busiest lawyers.”
Data from PAO showed that it handled 787,124 cases and assisted 849,914 clients in 2021.
In 2022, these numbers increased to 850,753 cases and 900,079 clients.IMT
