/’ 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
*
4
*
 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Lacson 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 111, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “Free access to the 
courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any 
person by reason ofpoverty.” 
In compliance with this constitutional mandate, the Public Attorney’s Office was 
created to provide free legal assistance to indigent person in civil, criminal, labor and 
administrative cases, including representation before the public prosecutor’s office. Aside 
fiom legal representation, PA0 services also include counseling, preparation of legal 
documents, administration of oaths on affidavits and pleadings, and mediation of claims 
and disputes. The PA0 also assigns lawyers to police stations to assist persons under 
investigation and conducts jail visits to interview prisoners on their legal problems. 
Due to lack of personnel and inadequate financial and logistical support amidst 
mounting criminal cases involving poor litigants, the PA0 has been unable to properly 
handle all cases referred to it, leading to delays in court proceedings, the clogging of 
court dockets and the overall slow delivery of justice. 
This bill seeks mainly to reorganize the PA0 by creating the position of Overall 
Deputy Chief Public Attorney and at the same time providing for a Deputy Chief Public 
Attorney each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in order to effectively respond to the 
problems of many of our less fortunate countrymen. The qualifications, compensation 
and other privileges for those serving in the PA0 are also being improved in order to 
strengthen and professionalize the said agency. 
This proposed measure likewise gives local government units the authority to 
extend, subject to their capabilities, financial and other support in the form of honoraria, 
free office space, equipment, furniture, supplies and manpower to the Public Attorney’s 
Office. 
In light of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is therefore earnestly 
sought. 
P MP 
NF 0 .LACSON 
Senator 
V -  


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Lacson 
AN ACT 
REORGANIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S 
OFFICE (PAO), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE THE PERTINENT 
PROVISIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled 
SECTION 1. Section 14, Chapter 5, Title 111, Book IV of Executive Order No. 
292, otherwise known as the “The Administrative Code of 1987,” is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
“SEC. 14. Public Attorney’s Office (PAO). - The Citizen’s Legal 
Assistance Office (CLAO) is renamed Public Attorney’s Office (PAO). It shall 
exercise the powers and functions as are now provided by law for the Citizen’s 
Legal Assistance Office or may hereafter be provided by law. 
“THE 
PUBLIC 
ATTORNEY’S 
OFFICE 
SHALL 
BE 
AN 
INDEPENDENT AND AUTONOMOUS OFFICE ATTACHED TO THE 
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 38 (3) 
CHAPTER 7 OF BOOK IV OF THIS CODE. 
“IT SHALL INDEPENDENTLY DISCHARGE ITS MANDATE TO 
RENDER FREE OF CHARGE, LEGAL REPRESENTATION, ASSISTANCE 
AND COUNSELING TO INDIGENT PERSONS IN CRIMINAL, CIVIL, 
ADMINISTRATIVE AND LABOR CASES AFTER IT IS DETERMINED 
THAT THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED THEREBY. 
“IN THE EXIGENCY OF SERVICE, THE PA0 MAY BE CALLED 
UPON BY PROPER AUTHORITIES TO RENDER SUCH SERVICES TO 


OTHER PERSONS, SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES AND 
REGULATIONS .” 
SEC. 2. Section 15, Chapter 5, Title 111, Book IV of E.O. 292 is hereby amended 
to read as follows: 
“SEC. 15. Organizational Structure. - The PA0 shall consist of the 
following constituent units: 
“(1) Office of the Chief Public Attorney, OVERALL DEPUTY CHIEF 
PUBLIC ATTORNEY, and [two (2) ONE (1) Deputy Chief Public Attorney[s] 
EACH FOR LUZON, VISAYAS AND MINDANAO; 
“(2) [Five (5) line divisions] SIX SERVICES in the Central Office, 
namely Administrative, [Financial and Management,] PLANNING AND 
EVALUATION, LEGAL, Special and Appealed Cases, Legal Research and 
Statistics and Field SUPPORT Services [Division]; 
“(3) Regional [and], Provincial[/], CITY AND District Offices.” 
SEC. 3. Section 16, Chapter 5, Title 111, Book IV of E.O. 292 is hereby amended 
to read as follows: 
“SEC. 16. The Chief Public Attorney and other PA0 Officials. - [The 
PA0 shall be headed by a Chief Public Attorney and shall be assisted by two (2) 
Deputy Chief Public Attorneys. Each PA0 Regional office established in each of 
the administrative regions of the country shall be headed by a Regional Public 
Attorney who shall be assisted by an Assistant Regional Attorney.] THE 
AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EXERCISE OF THE 
MANDATE OF THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND FOR THE 
DISCHARGE OF ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS SHALL BE VESTED IN 
THE CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY, WHO SHALL HAVE SUPERVISION 
AND CONTROL OF THE OFFICE. 


[The Chief Public Attorney, Deputy Chief Public Attorneys, Regional 
Public Attorneys and Assistant Regional Public Attorneys shall be appointed by 
the President upon the recommendation of the Secretdry.] 
“THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY SHALL 
INCLUDE HIS IMMEDIATE STAFF, THE OFFICE OF THE OVERALL 
DEPUTY CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY, THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY 
CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY FOR LUZON, THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY 
CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY FOR VISAYAS, THE OFFICE OF THE 
DEPUTY CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY FOR MINDANAO, AND THE 
REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL, CITY AND DISTRICT OFFICES. 
“THE CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY9 THE OVERALL DEPUTY CHIEF 
PUBLIC ATTORNEY, AND THE DEPUTY CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY 
FOR LUZON SHALL HOLD OFFICE IN METROPOLITAN MANILA; THE 
DEPUTY CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY FOR THE VISAYAS, IN CEBU CITY; 
AND THE DEPUTY CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY FOR MINDANAO, IN 
DAVAO CITY. THE CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY MAY TRANSFER THEIR 
STATIONS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS, IF 
PUBLIC INTEREST SO REQUIRES, PROVIDED THAT SUCH TRANSFER 
SHALL NOT BE MORE THAN ONCE EVERY TWO (2) YEARS. 
“THE CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY SHALL HAVE THE SAME 
QUALIFICATION FOR APPOINTMENT, RANK, PREROGATIVES, AND 
PRIVILEGES AS THOSE OF THE PRESIDING JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF 
APPEALS. THE DEPUTY CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEYS SHALL HAVE THE 
SAME QUALIFICATION FOR APPOhTMENT, RANK, PREROGATIVES 
AND PRIVILEGES AS THOSE OF THE ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE 
COURT OF APPEALS. 
“ THE SERVICES HEREIN CREATED SHALL EACH BE HEADED 
BY 
A 
STAFF 
DIRECTOR 
WHO 
SHALL 
HAVE 
THE 
SAME 
QUALIFICATION FOR APPOINTMENT, RANK AND PREROGATIVES 


AND PRIVILEGES AS THOSE OF A DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT 
REGIONAL DIRECTOR. 
“EACH OF THE PA0 REGIONAL OFFICES SHALL BE HEADED BY 
A REGIONAL PUBLIC ATTORNEY WHO SHALL BE ASSISTED BY AN 
ASSISTANT REGIONAL PUBLIC ATTORNEY. THE REGIONAL OFFICES 
SHALL HAVE SUCH PROVINCIAL, CITY, AND/OR DISTRICT OFFICES 
AS MAY BE NECESSARY. 
“THE REGIONAL PUBLIC ATTORNEY AND THE ASSISTANT 
REGIONAL 
PUBLIC 
ATORNEY 
SHALL 
HAVE 
THE 
SAME 
QUALIFICATION FOR APPOINTMENT, RANK, PREROGATIVES, AND 
PRIVILEGES AS THOSE OF A REGIONAL TRIAL COURT JUDGE, 
PROVIDED THAT THE SALARY GRADE LEVELS SHALL BE WITHIN 
THE RANGE OF STEPS (5) TO EIGHT (8) FOR THE REGIONAL PUBLIC 
ATTORNEY AND STEPS ONE (1) TO FOUR (4) FOR THE REGIONAL 
PUBLIC ATTORNEY. 
“THE PROVINCIAL PUBLIC ATTORNEY SHALL HAVE THE SAME 
QUALIFICATION FOR APPOINTMENT, RANK, PREROGATIVES, AND 
PRIVILEGES AS THOSE OF METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT JUDGE. THE 
CITY AND DISTFUCT PUBLIC ATTORNEYS SHALL HAVE THE SAME 
QUALIFICATION FOR APPOINTMENT, RANK, PREROGATIVES, AND 
PRIVILEGES AS THOSE OF A MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT JUDGE IN 
CITIES. THE PUBLIC. ATTORNEY I1 SHALL HAVE THE SAME 
QUALIFICATION FOR APPOINTMENT, RANK, PREROGATIVES AND 
PRIVILEGES AS THOSE OF A MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT JUDGE.” 
SEC. 4. Chapter 5, Title 11, Book IV of the same Code is hereby further amended 
by adding new sections to be designated as Sections 17 to 21, to read as follows and the 
succeeding sections are hereby renumbered accordingly: 


“SEC, 17. APPOINTMENT. - THE CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY AND 
THE DEPUTY CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEYS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY 
THE PRESIDENT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECRETARY 
OF JUSTICE. THE REGIONAL PUBLIC ATTORNEYS, ASSISTANT 
REGIONAL PUBLIC ATTORNEYS, PROVINCIAL PUBLIC ATTORNEYS, 
CITY AND DISTRICT PUBLIC ATTORNEYS9 AND PUBLIC ATTORNEYS 
I1 
SHALL BE 
APPOINTED 
BY THE 
PRESIDENT 
UPON 
THE 
RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECRETARY OF JUSTICE AND THE CHIEF 
PUBLIC ATTORNEY; PROVIDED, THAT, THE DEPUTY CHIEF PUBLIC 
ATTORNEYS SHALL PREFERABLY HAVE SERVED AS PUBLIC 
ATTORNEY FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO 
THEIR APPOINTMENT AS SUCH. THE ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL 
AND OTHER LAWYERS IN THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE SHALL 
BE APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY, IN ACCORDANCE 
WITH CIVIL SERVICE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE CHIEF 
PUBLIC ATTORNEY MAY DELEGATE TO HIS DEPUTIES FOR LUZON, 
VISAYAS, AND MINDANAO AND TO THE REGIONAL PUBLIC 
ATTORNEYS THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT PUBLIC ATTORNEYS AND 
OTHER PERSONNEL IN THEIR RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS.” 
“SEC. 18. ACTING CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY. - IN CASE OF 
ABSENCE OR TEMPORARY INCAPACITY OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC 
ATTORNEY OR A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC 
ATTORNEY, THE OVERALL DEPUTY CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY SHALL 
TEMPORAFULY PERFORM THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE 
CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY UNTIL THE LATTER SHALL HAVE 
RETURNED OR BECOME CAPACITATED, UNLESS IN THE INTERIM, 
THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY DESIGNATES AN ACTING CHIEF 
PUBLIC ATTORNEY. 


“IN CASE OF DEATH, PERMANENT INCAPACITY, REMOVAL OR 
RESIGNATION OF THE INCUMBENT CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY, OR 
VACANCY THEREOF, THE PRESIDENT SHALL APPOINT A NEW CHIEF 
PUBLIC ATTORNEY OR SHALL DESIGNATE AN ACTING CHIEF PUBLIC 
ATTORNEY UNTIL A NEW CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY SHALL HAVE 
BEEN APPOINTED AND QUALIFIED. 
“SEC. 19. INCUMBENT OFFICIALS AND PERSONNEL. - THE 
INCUMBENT 
OFFICIALS 
AND 
PERSONNEL 
OF 
THE 
PUBLIC 
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE SHALL REMAIN IN OFFICE WITHOUT THE NEED 
OF NEW APPOINTMENTS. ONE OF THE PRESENT DEPUTY CHIEF 
PUBLIC ATTORNEYS SHALL BE DESIGNATED AS THE OVERALL 
DEPUTY CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY AND THE OTHER SHALL BE AN 
AREA DEPUTY. 
“SEC. 20. EXEMPTION FROM FEES AND COSTS OF THE SUIT. - 
THE CLIENTS OF THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE SHALL BE 
EXEMPT FROM THE PAYMENT OF DOCKET AND OTHER FEES 
INCIDENTAL TO INSTITUTING AN ACTION IN COURT, AS AN 
ORIGINAL PROCEEEDING OR ON APPEAL. THE COSTS OF THE SUIT 
DUE THE CLIENT OF THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY ‘S OFFICE AFTER A 
SUCCESSFUL LITIGATION SHALL ACCRUE TO THE NATIONAL 
GOVERNMENT. 
“SEC. 
21. 
LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT 
SUPPORT. - LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS, SUBJECT TO THEIR CAPABILITIES, ARE 
AUTHORIZED TO EXTEND FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT IN THE 
FORM 
OF 
HONORARIA, 
FREE 
OFFICE 
SPACE. 
EQUIPMENT, 
FURNITURE, 
SUPPLIES, 
AND 
MANPOWER 
TO 
THE 
PUBLIC 
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE.” 


SEC. 5. Section 41, Chapter 10, Book I of the same Code, as amended, is hereby 
further amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 41. Officers Authorized to Administer Oaths. - The following 
officers have general authority to administer oaths: President; Vice President; 
members of the Judiciary; Secretaries of Departments; provincial governors and 
lieutenant -governors; city mayors; municipal mayors, bureau directors; regional 
directors; clerk of courts, registrars of deeds; other civilian officers in the public 
service of the government of the Philippines whose appointments are vested in the 
president and are subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments; 
all other constitutional officers; PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE LAWYERS; 
and notaries public.” 
SEC. 6. Section 42, Chapter 10, Book I of the same Code, as amended, is likewise 
amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 42. Duty to Administer Oaths - Officers authorized to administer 
oaths, with the exemption of notaries public, municipal judges and clerks of court 
are not obliged to administer oaths or execute certificates save in matters of 
official business OR IN RELATION TO THEIR FUNCTIONS AS SUCH; and 
with the exception of notaries public, the officer performing the service in those 
matters shall not charge no fee, unless specifically authorized by law.” 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the current fiscal year’s appropriations under the budget 
of the Public Attorney’s Office. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 


SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,