List of Services Offered by the Public Attorney's Office

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) is the principal law office of  the Government mandated under Republic Act No. 9406 to independently render legal services free of charge to indigent persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases. It exists to provide provide the indigent sector access  to counsel at the time of need and to implement the constitutional guarantee of free  access to courts, due process, and equal protection of the laws.  In the exigency of the service, it may be called upon by proper government authorities to render such service to other persons, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. Below are the list services provided by PAO:

Regular Services

1.  Legal Representation in courts (RTC, MTC, MTCCs, CA, SC) and quasi-judicial bodies such    as NLRC, Office of the Prosecutors, POEA, DARAB, PRC, etc.

2.  Representation of Indigent Accused in Court (Criminal Cases)

3.  Preparation of responsive pleadings and Representation of Indigent defendant in Ordinary Civil Actions

4.  Preparation of responsive pleadings and Representation of Indigent defendant/respondent in Special Proceedings

5.  Preparation of responsive pleadings and Representation of Indigent defendant/respondent in Special Civil Actions

6.   Preparation and filing of Complaint in Ordinary Civil Action

7.   Preparation and filing of Complaint/petition in Special Civil Actions

8.   Preparation and filing of petition in Special Proceedings

9.   Representation of employee-complainant in Labor Cases

10.  Representation of indigent in Administrative Cases

11.   Preparation of Affidavits and  Representation of Indigents in preliminary investigation

Limited Services

1.  Documentation

          a.    Preparation of affidavits

          b.    Preparation of  pleadings, petitions, motions, etc.

          c.    Administration of oath and notarial services

2. Legal Assistance during inquest and custodial investigation

Non-judicial Services

1.   Legal advice thru telephone, print media, radio programs, email and letter (postal system)

2.   Responses to texts messages

3.   Legal counselling for walk-in clients

4.   Mediation and conciliation

5.   24/7 central office counselling via hotline : +(63-2)-9299436

Outreach Acitivities

1.    Barangay Outreach and legal Information Dissemination Program

2.    Jail Visitation and Decongestion Program

3.    Media linkage activities

Forensic Services

1. Forensic Laboratory services

2. Forensic Education and Training

3. Forensic Analysis and Opinion

4. Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction

5. Specialized Forensic Services

            a.  Forensic Medicine

            b.  Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

            c.  Forensic and Evidence Photography

            d.  Forensic Archaeology (Exhumation and Crime Scene Documentation)

            e.  Forensic Osteological Analysis

            f.  Identification