Republiko ng Pilipinos Kogoworon ng Kolorungon Tonggopon ng MonononggolPomboyon (PUBLTC ATTORNEY'S OFFTCE) DOJ Agencies BuiHing, NlARd. mr. East Ave. 1104 Diliman, Quezon City Telephone tlos. 929-90-10i929-9436; FAx Nos. 927$&10/ 926-28-78
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE YEAR 2016
PREFATORY STATEMENT
As protectors of the poor, downtrodden, marginalized, and less privileged in life, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) has shown wholehearted dedication, enduring perseverance, and unquestionable professionalism in fulfilling its legal mandate of providing free legal services and aid.
Guided by the outmost interest to serue the people with respect to their legal needs as mandated by the Constitution, and inspired by the passion and principles which are continually being inculcated upon them, the PAO continues to thrive, adopting to the changes of the present time, as well as taking on the challenges of the ever- growing needs and demands of society.
To promote social awareness and reform, the PAO has made efforts to reach a wider audience, aiming to protect the victims of injustices, to educate the less knowledgeable, and to empower those who were weakened. Led by the undersigned, who personally and professionally advocate for the rule of law, truth and social justice to always prevail, the PAO bravely faces the perils and hazards posed by the crucial and the controversial cases it handles, without cowering in fear. Such valiant and dauntless chivalry has become the norm that every PAO employee strives to uphold.
With the constant influx of clients, heavy downpour of various cases, and the strict deadlines posed by the prescriptive and reglementary periods imposed by law, the PAO's humble manpower of two thousand, seven hundred and twelve (2,712) employees, stands strong.
Despite this and the meager resources available, the PAO has demonstrated creativity, ingenuity and tenacity in dealing with gargantuan tasks. This only proves that the PAO is truly committed in serving and in responding to the growing legal needs of the Filipino people.
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE \'EAR 2OT5 age 1of31 As such, before looking forward to another progressive year for the PAO, it is important to look back and review the achievements and progresses it met the past year. The statistics below will reveal a significant improvement in the overall performance of the Office. In the analysis, the increase with the number of case disposals and the rendition of legal services is palpably a validation that the countless tears, head-splitting migraines, and sleepless nights spent on the study of each dispute and issue faced, preparation of pleadings, and litigation of the cases were not in vain.
With all things said, this report shall serve as a testament to the PAO's effi ciency, competence, and productivity.
Finally, in parallel with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's administration's policy that is to be "sensitive to the State's obligations to promote and protect, and tulfil the rights of [its] citizens, especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable,"l the PAO, through the leadership of the undersigned Chief Public Attorney, will endeavor to continue its unyielding pursuit to improve and provide a more exceptional and beyond excellent public service.
I. THE OFFICE
Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9406, entitled "An Act Reorganizing and Strengthening the Public Attorney's ffice (PAO)" established the PAO as an independent and autonomous Office attached to the Department of Justice only for the purpose of policy and program coordination. The law expanded the mandate of the PAO to include providing free legal services and assistance to indigent clients, other qualified persons, and in the exigency of the service, when called upon by proper government authorities to render such seruice to other persons, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations, in all criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases.
The PAO-Central Office is located at the DOJ Agencies Building, NIA Road corner East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. The regional and districVsub-district offices, on the other hand, are strategically located nationwide to effectively respond to indigent clients from eighty-one (81) provinces, one hundred and forty-five (145) cities, one thousand and four hundred eighty-nine (1,489) municipalities and forty-two thousand and thirty-six (42,036) barangays2, all of which, are in dire need of legal assistance.
1 From President Rdrigo R. Dutefteg Fi,st Sbb of the Nation Address daM 25 July 2016 refievd a t h t@ ://www. gov. ph/20 16/0 7/26/tle-20 I 6 -state-of-tt e-natbn -addressl last acc$sd on 6lanuary 2017. 2 As of 31 Dsemfur 2015
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 2 of 31 Currently, the PAO has 18 regional offices and 298 district offices, six sub-district offices, two Regional Special and Appealed Cases Units, one satellite office, and one annex. Most of these offices are situated at the Halls of Justice nationwide along with the courts and other offices involved in the administration of justice. However, some district offices are housed at rented office spaces like the PAO-Manila District Office, etc. II. PUBLIC ATTORNEYS THE REGIONAL AND DISTRICT OFFICES , AND THE COURTS
Despite the high turn-over rate of the Public Attorneys, primarily due to resignation to engage in private law practice, transfer to the National Prosecution Seruice (NAPROSS), to the judiciary, to other government owned and controlled corporations, and healry workload, among others, the PAO has a total of 11688 public attorneys, who actively handle criminal and civil cases before the courts nationwide.
About 59 of them devote themselves to special and appealed cases before the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court and the Office of the President. However, the handling of criminal and civil cases and representation of clients in courts as above-stated is only a portion of the public attorneys'functions. They also appear in and handle administrative and labor cases, the so-called quasi-judicial cases, and such other limited and special cases and services aS shown hereafter.
Below is a table indicating the number of existing offices and assigned lawyers in each region as follows:
NUMBER OF DrsTRrcr suB- REGION / PUBLIC DISTRICT OFFICES ATTORNEYS
Central Office 113
National Capital Region 16 276
Cordil lera Administrative LB 2 sub-district 51 Region I Region I 2T 87 Ilocos Region Region II 15 64 Cagayan Valley
http://www.dilg.gov.ph/facts-and-figures/Number-of-Provinces{ities-Mu Bara ngays-by-Reg ion/32
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 3 of31 Region III 3t t annex L4L Central Luzon I Region IV-A 34 20r CAI.ABARZON Region IV-B L2 44 MIMAROPA Region V 23 65 Bicol Region Region VI L2 tL4 Eastern Visayas Region VII L4 L RSACU 104 Central Visayas I Region VIII 25 BB Western Visayas Region IX-A 3 L sub-district 33 ARMM I Region IX-B L4 sub-district& 1 lG 5B Zamboanga Peninsula satellite office Region X L4 RSACU & 1 sub- I G B6 Northern Mindanao district) Region XI 11 5B Davao Region Region XII 11 61 SOCCSIGARGEN Region XIII 11 44 CARAGA Region )0/III 13 Negros Island Region TOTAL 30s 1,688 Table No. 1
The establishment of district offices in different regions of the country complements the agency's mission to provide litigants free access to courts and quasi-judicial agencies by rendering legal assistance without cost. The PAO envisions the establishment of adequate district offices to enhance the accessibility of its seruices in order that justice could efficienUy be delivered despite geographical fragmentation. III. SIGNIFICANT MPLISHMENTS
o CLIENTS ASSISTED AND CASES HANDLED
The statistical figures below show the total number of indigent clients assisted and the total number of cases fiudicial and uasi-
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 4 of31 judicial) handled by the PAO and its proportionate relation to the 11688 lawyerc for the period covering January to December, 2016.
Total No. of Clients Assisted 8,839,742 Total No. of Cases Handled 850,298 Average No. of Clients Assisted by Each Lawyer 5,237 Average No. of Cases Handled by Each Lawyer 511 Table No. 2
o MA'OR FINAL OUTPUT AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
In order to fully monitor the effective implementation of its seruices and to obtain the feedbacks of its qualified clients, the PAO's performance indicators were refined/enhanced to include the determination of the timelines and quality of its seruices, instead of merely focusing on quantity.
For the year 20t6, the implementation of the new indicators yielded positive results, to wit:
Maior Final Output: Free Leoal Seruices to Indioent Clients
ACCOMPLISHMENTS TN FY 2016 TARGETS PERFORMANCE DICATORS (FY 2016) PI Set 1:
a Number of cases under 850,2L2 950,298 management.
a Percentage of cases with favorable 73.30o/o 75.860/o judgment. (309,7481422,576) (230,831/304,267)
a Percentage of requests for legal assista nce/representation acted 100o/o 100o/o upon within three working days (756,8361756,836) ( 1, 199, 183/1, 199, 183) from the date of request.
a Percentage of hearings for which 99.89o/o 100o/o no postponement is sought by the (438,0t61438,512) (486,4351486,435) PAO Iegal representative.
PI Set 2:
O Number of clients serued (Non- 4,990,548 5,411,808 Judicial).
a Number of legal L,922,ffi8 2,577,636 advisories/counsell ing provided.
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR TIIE YEAR 20T6 Page 5 of8l Percentage of clients who rated the 99.98o/o 100o/o legal services of the PAO as (5r7,8001517,928) (563,6781563,678) satisfactory or better. o Percentage of requests for assistance that are acted upon 100o/o 100o/o within two hours. 1 Table No. 3
o CLIENTS ASSISTED AND CASES HANDLED
ACQI.IITTALS / DISMISSAL OF CASES / RELEASE FROM D E TE NTTIO N / JAILS AND O TH ER FAVO RABLE D I SPO SITI ONS
s.P"" ePe 40,000
30,000
20,000
10,m0 ,P * Pb bs$ tors.,g +q dP 0 No. ofAccused Benefited r A. Acquittal r B. Dismissed with prejudice . C. Motion to quash granted D. Demurrer to evidence granted r E. Provisionally dismissed I F. Convicted to lesser offense I G. Probation Granted I H. Won r I. Granted lesser award I J. Dismissed based on compromised agreement I K. Case filed in court (Complainant) r L. Dismissed (Respondents) , M. Bail (Non-bailable offense) t N. Recognizance O. Diversion prnoceedings / Intervention P. Suspended sentence r O lVlqrimrrm imnoshle nennltv served
Graph No. 1
Undaunted by the overwhelming caseloads, the public attorneys ably represented indigent clients who are accused in court. The Public Attorneys skillfully facilitated the release and favorable disposition of cases of indigent clients, by way of acquittals, dismissal of Cases, Ot for some Other reasons, their cases were favorably disposed of, as shown in the graph below.
The graph above shows the figures of acquittals, dismissals and other favorable dispositions in criminal cases for the period covering January to December 2016, totaling L48.,7t.6.
o WINNING APPEALED CASES
For criminal cases alone, a total of 158 cases were favorably disposed of during the period of January to December 2016 by the PAO-special and Appealed Cases Seruice (SACS).
PAO ACCOMPLISHMEI\II REPORT FOR TIIE YEAR 2016 Page 6 of31 The table below shows the breakdown of figures, to wit:
Acquittals from Reclusion Temporal 73 Acquittals from Reclusion Perpetua B5 TOTAL 158 Table No. 4
Aslde from criminal cases, the PAO-SACS also handled a total of 645 civil and special cases such as appeals from the decision of NLRC, SSS and GSIS. In those handled cases, a total of 645 favorable dispositions were obtained by the PAO-SACS from January to December 2016.
o JAIL VISITATION AND DECONGESTION PROGRAM
This non-judicial service rendered by the Office for the inmates has been strengthened by the PAO-Central Office Legal, Medical, Dental and Optical lail Visitation Program. The program started in 2007 and is now being continuously conducted in various jails in the Philippines. The tables below show the output of the project for the year 20L6, to wit:
Regular Monthly Jail Visitation of District Offices Nationwide: Monthly Jail Visitation No. of Inmates / Detainees of District Offices Nationwide Interuiewed & Assisted 301,319 Provided Legal Representation in Couft 342,828 Released 43,519 Table No. 5
PAO-Central Office Legal & Medical Jail Visitation & Decongestion Program
NO. OF NO. OF NO. OF NO. OF BENEFICIARIES TOTAL NO. BENEFICIARIES BENEFICIARIES READING ]AIL DATE LEG FOR LEGAL OF INMATES VISITED FOR MEDICAL FOR DENTAL GLASSES ASSISTANCE RELEASED ASSISTANCE ASSISTANCE DISTRIBUTED (ADVICE) Taguig City Jail February A total of 1 (Male & Female 1sr 203 2s3 45 2tl 9, 2016 2A2t Dormitories) inmates City Female April 21, were 2 Quezon 2ND 82 190 39 t74 Dormitory 2016 released from various C-orrectional April27, jails in 3 Institution for 3RD 109 100 25 259 2016 and Women
PAO ACCOMPLISHMEI{I REPORT FOR TIIE YEAR 2016 Page 7 of31 nearby provinces visited by Correctional the PAO- December 4 Institution for 4TH 90 293 33 26L Crntral 27,2016 Women ffice and followed up by the field offices.
TOTAL 444 836 t42 905 2,421 Table No. 6
o LEGAL/ rNQU EST PROCEEDTNGS ASSISTANCE
On their scheduled duties, the public attorneys and staff of the PAO-Central Office have alternately been providing legal and inquest proceedings assistance even during nighttime, weekends and holidays since October 2009. For this purpose, the PAO hotline, 929- 9436 (lrcal 106 or 107 during office hourc and loal 159 afrer office hours) is open to the public 24/Z
In September 2010, the coverage of this program was expanded to serue the people covered by the regional and district offices of the PAO, nationwide. Since then, the said offices have been rendering lqtal assisbnce (e.9. legal advice, attending to the legal needs of suspects in the police stations within the territorial jurisdiction of the concerned PAO regional/district offices) up to 10:00 P.M. everyday (including weekends and holidays). Further, the assigned PAO inquest public attorneys and staff therein remain on call, even beyond 10:00 P.M., to attend to inquest calls in police stations nationwide.
A total of 39p79 clients benefited from the services provided by the PAO consisting of inquest assistance, legal advice/counselling and documentation at the above duty stations covering the period January to December 2016.
PAO ACCOMPLISHMEI\rI REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page I of31 rV. CASE LOAD STATISTICAL REPORT AND
A. RENDITION OF JUDICIAL SERVICES 1. Regular Seruices a) CRIMINAL
REPRESENTATION OF INDIGENTS IN JUDICIAL CASES (CRIMINAL) *Cases Handled vs. Target* 600,000
500,ooo r Carry-Over 400,000 275,654 rNewly 24L,626 Received 300,0o0 I Target 200,0o0 259,484 227,452 100,000 I r o *535,138* *469,078* OUTPUT TARGET TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED
No.
For the year 20L6, the PAO handled a total of 5351138 criminal cases; of this total, 275,654 are newly received cases and 259,484 are carried-over from the previous year.
REPRESEI{ITATION OF REPRESENTATION OF INDIGENTS IN JUDICIAL INDIGEI\TTS IN JUDICIAL *ACQUITTALS, CASES (CRIMINAL) WINNING *Cases Terminated vs. Target* CASES-FAVORABLE DISPOSITIONS* 250,000 150,000 Fa I Favorable 200,000 I Others 148, 7t6 I Others 150,000 I Target 100,000 16 1,662 148,716 100,000 50,000 50,000 43,612 43,6L2 41,409 0 *192,328* *209,071* 0 OUTPUT TARGET OU1TPUT TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES TF;RMINATED TERMINATED Graph No.3 Graph No.4
PAO ACCOMPLISHME},TT REPORT FOR TI{E YEAR 2016 Page I of31 Out of the 1921328 terminated criminal crses from January to December 2016, L48.Jl.6 cases or about 77,32olo thereof were favorably disposed by the respective Public Attorneys assigned to handle the same.
b) crwl
RE PRE SENTATION OF INDIGENTS REPRESENTATION OF IN JUDICIAL CASES (CNIL) *Cases INDIGEI\T,TS IN JUDI CIAL Handled vs. Target* CASES (CNIL) *Cases Terminated vs. Targetx 40,000 40,0o0
f Carry- 30,ooo 27,r6t Over 30,ooo I Ou@ut I Newly 18,835 Received Target 20,000 I Tareet 20,ooo 30,310 22,361 l0,ooo 15,506 10,ooo 9.188 o *34,341* *49,522* 0 OIITPUT TARGET OUTPUT TARGE-T TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES HANDI,ED TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED
Graph No.5 Graph No.6 For the year 2016, the ffice has handled a total of 34,34t civil cases consisting of newly received and carry-over cases. During the same period, a total of 91188 were terminated.
c) ADMINISTRATM CASES PROPER
REPRESE NTATION OF INDIGENTS REPRESENTATION OF IN QUASI-JIIDI CIAL CASES INDIGENTS IN QUASI- (ADMINI STRATIVE CASE S PROPER) JUDICIAL CASES *Cases Handled vs. Target* (ADMINISTRATIVE CASES 5.000 PROPER) 15,000 ' *Cases Terminated vs. Target* I I Carry- 4,OOO Over r Ouhut ! 10,000 Newly Target 14,960 Received 3,OOO 10,727 I Target 7,290 2,OOO 3,803 5,000 l,ooo 2,115 : 2,950 0 *12,842n *17,910* o OUTPUT TARGET OUTPUT TARGET TOTAL NI]MBER OF CASES HANDLED TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES
Graph No.7 No.8
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 10 of31 The PAO handled a total of 12,842 administrative cases consisting of L0,727 carry-over cases and 2,115 newly received cases from January to December 2016. A total of 3r8O3 cases from the aforesaid total number of administrative cases were terminated.
d) PROSECUTOR',S OFFTCE CASES
REPRESENTATION OF REPRESEI{TATION OF IND I GENTS IN QUASI -JTIDI C IAL INDIGEIVTS IN QUASI.JUDI CIAL CASES @ROSECTfTOR'S OFFICE CASES (PROSECITTOR'S O FFICE CASES) CASES) * Cases Handled vs. Target* * Cases Terminated vs. Target* 40,000 75,OOO I Carry- Over 30,oo0 I Output 40,860 I Newly Target 50,ooo 38,185 Received 20,ooo I Target 34,712 25,OOO 10,ooo 30,653 32,801
o *68,838* o "73,661* OUTPUT TARGET OUTPUT TARGET TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED
Graph No.9 Graph No. 10 For the year 2016, the Office handled a total of 681838 cases at the Prosecutor's level, 30,653 of which are newly received and 38,185 are carried over from the previous year. Out of the said total number of cases, 331999 were already terminated.
e) LABOR CASES
REPRESENTATION OF INDIGENTS REPRESENTATI ON OF I NDI GE}TTS IN QUASI-JTIDICIAL CASES IN QUASI-JIIDICIAL CASES (LABOR CASES) (LABOR CASES) *Cases *Cases Handled vs. Target* Terminated vs. Target*
75,000 90,000 I Carry- Over IOu@ut 32,748 I Newly 60,000 Received 50,000 Target I Target 64,949 51,466 30,000 52,176 52,142 25,000
0 *84,924* *84,869* 0 TARGET OUTPUT TARGET OUTPUT - TOTAL NI]MBER OF CASES HANDI,ED TOTAL NIJMBER OF CASES HANDLED
Graph No.11 No.12
PAO ACCOMPLISHME},TT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 11 of31 In Labor cases, the PAO was able to handle a tobl of 4,924 complaints from January to December 2016, il,949 of which were already disposed of.
2. Limited Seruices
LIMITED SERVICES
I OUTPUT T TARGE:T
500,000
400,000 378,
300,000
200,000 1 173, 1
7 100,000
0 ARRAIGNMENT PRE.TBIAL PROMUICAITON OTTIERS OF ruDGMENT Total number of accused assisted = 649,775
Graph No. 13
The Office has extended limited services to accused in criminal cases specifically on the stages of arraignrnent, pre-trial, promulgation of sentence and in such other stages of the case where the PAO is sought to engage. It assisted a total of 649,775 accused from January to December 2016.
3. Special Legal Services (Purcuant to Sec 14-A of R.A. 9406 and MOAs)
From January to December 20L6, the PAO serued a total of 231066 clients under Special Legal Seruices.
"SEC. 14-A Powerc and Functrbns. - The PAO shall independently dixharge ib mandate to render, fre of chargq lqal represenbtio4 assistancg and counselling to indigent petwns in criminal, ciuil, labor, administratiue and other quasi-judicial ases. In the exigenry of the seruicg the PAO may be calld uryn by proper government authorities to render such seruice to other peaons, to existing laws, rules and rqulations. "
PAO ACCOMPLISHMEI{I REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 12 of31 B. RENDTTTON OF QUASr-IUDTCTAL SERVTCES
1. Mediation and Conciliation
RENDITION OF QUASI-JUDICIAL RENDITION OF QUASI-JUDICIAL SERVICES SERVI C E S (IVIE DIATI ON & (NIEDIATTO N & CO NCILIATIO coNCrLrATrolr) N *Disputes *Disp ute s Handled vs. Target* Terminated vs. Target* 2A 300,000 300,000 670 11,380 Carry- Over IOuhut Newly 200,ooo 200,000 Tarpt Received 437,382 Target 446,650 240,805 232,519 100,000 100,000
o *252,185* *458,O52x 0 OUTPUT TARGET OUTPUT TARGET TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED TOTALNUMBER OF CASES HANDLED
Graph No. 14 GraPh No. 15 It is worthy to take note that the Office also renders mediation and conciliation seruices as part of its quasi-judicial function. For the period covering January to December 20L6, it handled a total of 252,L85 disputes and resolved a total of 232,519 thereof.
2. Investigation
For the year 20L6, the PAO conducted a total of 59 investigations of cases involving torture. The Office is mandated to assist in torture cases through Sec. 11 of Republic Act (R.A.) 9745 or the Anti-Tofture Act of 2009, uiz
"section 11. Assistance in Filing a Complaint - The CHR and the PAO shall render lqal assistance in the investigation and monitoring and/or filing of the complaint for a peren who sufferc torture and other cruel, inhuman and dqrading treatment or punishment, or for any interested party thereto, "
PAO ACCOMPLISHMEI\.]"T REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 13 of31 C. RENDITION OF NON.JUDICIAL SERVICES
1. Instant/Outreach Seruices
INSTANT I OIITREACH SERVICES
IOUTPUT ITARGES]
2,500,000 2,577,636 I 2,000,000 1,888,286
1,549,827 1,500,000
1,291, 1,203.51 I 1,000,000
500,000
0 LEGAL OATHS ADMINISTERED CT ENTS COUNSEI,ED DOCTTMENTATION
Total number of clients assisted = 6,015,749
Graph No.
The Office has rendered instant I outreach seruices to 61015,749 clienB that include legal documentation, counselling and administering of oaths for the period covering January to December 2016.
2. Inquest Activities
From January to December 2016, the PAO assisted a total of 2OO,493 clients during inquest investigations and custodial interrogations.
3. Barangay Le{al Outreach and Visitation
BARANGAY LE GAL O I]TREA CH ACTIVITTES
! Ou@ut Target 200,000
150,000
100,000 198.863 153,483 50,000
0 OUTPUT TARGET TOTAI NI'MBER OF BENEFICIARIES
Craph No. 17
PAO ACCOMPLISHME}.TT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 14 of31 In the barangay outreach activities conducted by the Office from January to December 2016, it assisted a total of 198,863 clients.
WOMEN CLIENTS AflD CHTLDREN TN CONFLICT WTTH TTIE LAW
Under R.A. No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act and R.A. No. 93,14, otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare System Act, as well as the subsequent peftinent issuances, the PAO is specifically mandated by law to extend legal assistance to women and their children who are victims of violence and to facilitate the release and proper disposition of cases involving Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), particularly those who were fifteen years old or below at the time of the alleged commission of the crime.
To this mandated task, the PAO continuously gives special attention to the cause of women and children in so far as the criminal justice system is concerned.
REPRESENTATIONOF REPRESENTATTON OF WOMEN CLIENTS CHILDRENIN CONFLICT *Disputes Handled vs. Target* \^/ITHTHE I.AW(CICL) *Disputes Handled vs- Target*
60,ooo 40,o00 r a 42,454 carry- Carry- Over 30,ooo Over 29,797 40,ooo ! Newly 26,944 r Newly Received Ilece i 20,oo0 I Target 16,564 a Target 20,ooo 42,977 .t.> o.>n ro,ooo 5,568 I,O55 0 o *52,724* *?5,a36* *22,136* *35,999* OUTPUT TARGET OT]TPTJT TARGET TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED TOTAI, NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED
Graph No. 18 GraPh No. 19 The graphs above show the number of women and children assisted by the PAO for the year 2016. From January to December 2016, the Office handled a total of 52,724 and 22,t36 cases involving women and CICL, respectively.
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page l5 of3l REPRESEIVTATION OF WOMEN REPRESENTATTON OF CHILDREN IN CLIEI{TS CONFLICTWITHTIM LAW *Disputes Terminated vs. Target* *Disputes Terminated vs. Target*
30,ooo 10,000
I Ou@ut 8,000 rOu@ut 20,oo0 Target Target 6,000 45,979 19,398 25,571 4,000 10,ooo 6,176 2,000
o 0 OUTPUT TARGE"T OUTPUT TARGEf,
TOTAL NUMBER OF CASBS HANDLED TCIAL NI'T,TBER OF CASFS HANDLED
Graph No.20 Graph No.21
The graphs above show that from January to December 2016, a total of 25F7L and 6,t76 cases involving women and CICL, respectively, were terminated.
It is humbly submitted that the above-shown data manifest and indicate the continuous trust and faith of the people in the performance of the agency.
It is viewed that when the agency performs its duties and responsibilities with the highest standard of efficiency and dedication, it gives its humble share in converting and transforming public apathy and chaos into trust and faith to the criminal justice system and ultimately to the entire administration.
V, THE OFFICE OF E CHIEF PUBLIC ATTORNEY
I. The Office of the Chief Public Attorney rcceivd/answered 6090Z communications from January to December, 2016. The breakdown is as follows: Total No. of Communications to from CPA Rueda-Acosta 66pO7 / Communications A. Communications from the Executive Support Staff 13269
1. Appointments 1 t 524 2. Memorandum 465 3. Memorandum Order 458 4. Memorandum Circular 5 5. Office Order 232 6. Reassignment Order 67 7. Travel Order 39
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENTT REPORT FOR TIIE YEAR 2016 Page 16 of31 B. Special Order 16 9. Other Communications 9.1. Signed by CPA 218 9.2. Signed by Executive Lawyers 10,245 B. Communications from Other Seruices s248 1. Administrative Service 2,719 2. Legal Research Service 1,485 3. Field Operations and Statistics Seruice 467 4. Financial Planning and nt Seruice 166 5. Special and Appealed Cases Seruice 4Lt C. Communications from Regional Offices 8,637 1. Region I 46 2. Region II 30s 3. Region III 1,015 4. Region IV 1,034 5. Region V 607 6. Region VI 684 7. Region VII 614 8. n VIII 401 9. Region IX / ARMM 363 10 onX 379 11. Region XI 208 t2 XII 277 13. Region XIII/CARAGA 391 14. CAR 374 15. NCR 1,539 D. Communications from OP, OVP, Senate &HOR 926 E. Communications from Other Offices 321747 1. Department of lustice 500 2. Supreme Couft 3,683 3. Couft of Appeals 2L,941 4. National Labor Relations Commission 2,t55 5. Other Communications 4,202 6. icants 266 F. Publications 83s L. Dear PAQ Manila Times 346 2 Kay Attorney, Bu 34L 3 Mo Attorneyl Tonight 148 G. EMAILS s,245 1. Legal Assistance 4,439 2. icants 20 3. Other emails 435 4. Emails from PAO-District Offices 351 7
PAO ACCOMPLISHMEI\TT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 17 of31 il. The Offtce of the Chief Public Attomey actually served 231056 clienB during this period.
III. The Chief Public Attorney served as nesourae ptwn, in the following seminars, trainings, and meetings, among others:
a. Speaker, 11h Annua! Dr. Ernesto P. Namin Lecture Series, August 20, 2016, University of St. La Salle College of Medicine, Bacolod;
b. Gaest Spaker, Rotary Club-Forbes Park Fellowship/Meeting, July 28, 2016, Turf Room, Manila Polo Club, Mckinley St., Makati City;
c. Keynote Spaker, 1"t International Research Conference, on Gender and Criminal Justice, (Theme: Advocating Gender Ruponsivenes in tlrc Cnlminal .lustice System), June 28, 2016, Camp Benjamin, Alfonso- Maragondon Road, Barangay Taywanak-Ilaya, Alfonso, Cavite;
d. Speaker, Nationwide Youth Leaderchip Conference Innovation, April 19, 2016, Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet;
e. Speaker, UP Law Student Governmentt Career & Internship Fair: LiUgation Tallg April 15, 2016, Malcolm Theater, Malcolm Hall, UP College of Law, Diliman, Quezon City;
f. Keynote Spaker, 2nd Visayas-Mindanao Consultative Workshop on Barangay Civil Registration System (BCRS), March 15, 2016, Punta Villa Resort and Convention Center, Sto. Nifio Sur, Arevalo, Iloilo City;
g. Keynote Speaker, Golden Globe Annual Awatds for Business Excellence and Filipino Achievers 2O16, March t3, 2016, Centennial A Grand Ballroom, Manila Hotel;
h. Keynob Spake4l$ Genera! Membership Meeting and Induction of Officers of the Institute of Internal Auditors-Philippines, February 24, 20t6, SMX Convention Centre, Mall of Asia, Pasay City;
IV The Chief Public Attorney prwnally handled and/or ld the following cases, and/or rendetd legal assistance to the following individuals, inter alia, to wit:
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR TIM YEA.R,20T6 Page 18 of 31 a. Carl Lqn $underc (Saunders), an Australian national, and alleged victim of his Filipina girlfriend who took away his papers and properties, but was charged by the latter of the Violation of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262.
The Chief Public Attorney succeeded in seeking for the granting of the permanent dismissal of the charge of the Violation of R.A. No. 9262 against Saunders.
As per the request of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, and with the authority of the Department of Justice, the Chief Public Attorney with her legal and medical teams escofted Saunders (who had a medical condition) back to Australia on Januarv 19, 2016, to ensure his safety while in transit up to the custodial turn-over to his mother.
Saunders was qualified for voluntary deportation. His girlfriend was the private complainant in the case of the Violation of R.A. No. 9262 that was charged against him. As per the record of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 43 of Manila, the return of notices indicated that the private complainant could no longer be located and/or unknown.
b. Spu,*s htuacion and Estehn Crtrtabisb (Spouses Cortabista), who are both in their seventies (70s) and victims of "laglag/bnim bala" *am were assisted by the Chief Public Attorney and her legal team.
Spouses Cortabista were assisted by the PAO-Manila District Office during the conduct of the inquest proceedings on April 19, 2016. On May 13, 20L6, the Chief Public Attorney and her legal team filed a Complaint, on behalf of the Cortabistas, at the Pasay Prosecutor's Office against those individuals who they believed have conducted the said scam and attempted to extort money from the elderly couple.
On May 14, 2016. Spouses Cortabista were finally allowed to leave for the United States of America, where Salvacion Cortabista would seek assistance for her medical condition. This was the very reason of their previous flight on April 19, 2016 which did not push through due to the said laglag/tanim bala" incident.
c. Jetome Szlif (Sulit) was a honeymooner in Boracay, who became a victim of the "laglag/bnim-fula"scheme.
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAN,2016 age 19 of 3l The Chief Public Attorney and her legal team rendered legal assistance to Sulit. On May 13, 2016, before he was arraigned for the Violation of Section 28 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10591, docketed as Criminal Case No. 12872, Sulit through the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) filed an Urgent Ad Cautelam Omnibus Motion: (a) to Quash Information (b) for Judicial Determination of Probable Cause and (c) to Defer Arraignment.
The Omnibus Motion filed by the Chief Public Attorney and her legal team for Sulit was granted in the absence of animus possidendi, i.e., his lack of an intent to possess of the ammunition allegedly found in his sling bag when he entered together with his wife at the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport at Brgy. Caticlan, Malay, Aklan in the morning of April 28,2016. Moreover, since there was no probable cause against Sulit, the instant case was dismissed and the cash bond for his provisional liberty was ordered cancelled and released to his bondsman.
Despite the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the Prosecution on the Order, dated June 20, 2016 dismissing the instant case, and taking into consideration the Comment/Opposition thereto filed by the Chief Public Attorney and her legal team for Sulit, RegionalTrial Court Branch 6, Kalibo, Aklan, in an Order, dated )ulv 27,2016, reiterated its Order; dated June 20, 2016, that it found no intent to possess of the subject ammunition on the part of the accused. Thus, it denied the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the Prosecution, and after which the dismissal of the instant case became final.
d. Ricado "Richard"S'b. Ana, Jn (Sta. Ana) was charged with Parricide for being allegedly the mastermind behind the murder of his wife and son.
The Chief Public Attorney and her legal team rendered legal assistance to Sta. Ana. On Julv 27. 2016, Deputy City Prosecutor Oscar T. Co of the City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna dismissed the complaint against the said accused for insufficiency of evidence. Deputy Co, instead, recommended that the two (2) men who both feigned as telecommunications repairmen and were involved in the said case, be charged with two (2) counts of murder, rape and theft. He further indo
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR TIIE \'EAR 2016 Page 20 of 31 that the Information for murder, rape and theft be filed before the proper court.
e. Robeft B, Dela Riatft (Dela Riarte), brother of John B. Dela Riafte, who was shot to death by two (2) Philippine National Police (PNP)-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) personnel, namely PO3 Jeremiah De Villa (now deceased) and PO2 Jonjie Manon- og, in relation to a vehicular accident which happened on July 29, 2016 at around 9:00 to 10:00 otlock in the morning, along the southbound lane of EDSA-Estrella intersection in Makati CitY.
The Chief Public Attorney and her legal team assisted Dela Riarte in the filing of criminal cases for Murder, Robbery, Torture, and Violation of Republic Act No. 7438 before the Department of Justice on August B, 2016, likewise in the filing of administrative cases against the said PNP-HPG personnel before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on the same date.
li A total of 3,O63 affi Overcas Filipino Workerc (OFW) in tlrc Kingdom of *udi Arabia (KSA) were assisted by the Chief Public Attorney and the three (3) teams which she created.
The said teams were the (1) Riyadh, KSA Team - headed by the Chief Public Attorney, and thereafter by Regional Public Attorney Francis A. Calatrava of Davao Peninsula; (2) Jeddah, KSA Team - headed by Atty. Giovanni R. Morales of Davao Oriental District Office; and, (3) Al-Khobar, KSA Team - headed by Atty. Ernie A. Masorong of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Office. The Chief Public Attorney served as the PAO's Over-AllTeam Leader.
The Chief Public Attorney's creation of the said teams and their official travel to KSA in various dates of Auqust 2016 was the Public Attorney's fficet immediate response and appropriate action relative to Memorandum, dated 01 August 2016, issued by Secretary of the Cabinet Leoncio Evasco, Jr. to the heads of the concerned offices, including the Chief Public Attorney. The abovementioned Memorandum directed the said officials "to send a team to provide assistance to the affected overseas Filipino workerc (OFWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and ensure that they have adequate food and decent living conditions, and through the communicators in the said team, "explain to the OFWs the benefits of returning home, and to facilitate repatriation of those interested, prioritizing wome
PAO ACCOMPLISHMEi{T REPORT FOR THE \'EAR 20T6 age 21 of 31 The specific tasks of the PAO delegation was to assist the OFWs in the execution of Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and Complaints/Claims against their respective employers for their unpaid wages/salaries and other money claims to be Rled before the Ministry of Labor of Saudi Arabia, and explain to them the purpose of those documents.
The table below shows the breakdown of the number of OFWs who benefited from the seruices of the PAO Teams in KSA:
Number of OFW- Team Period Beneficiaries Team Riyadh 1,831 From August 12 to 23, 20L6 Team Jeddah 459 From August 14 to 25, 20L6 Team Al-Khobar 773 From August 13 to 25,20L6 TOTAL 3,063 Table No.8
g. Gina Maliwat (Maliwat), ?n OFW and victim of "laglag/bnim- bala" scheme was on her flight back to Macau, her place of work when she was arrested.
On behalf of Maliwat, the Chief Public Attorney and her legal team filed an Urgent Ad Cautelam Omnibus Motion: (a) to Quash Information (b) for Judicial Determination of Probable Cause; and (c) to Defer Arraignment; and (d) Motion to Lift Warrant of Arrest on August 9 and 23,20L6.
During the hearing on August t6, 2016, the Chief Public Attorney, argued , inter alia, that Maliwat had no intention to possess the subject ammunition and argued that possession of bullet is punishable only it itg for use of any firearm.
Regional Trial Court-Branch 117, Pasay City was convinced that Maliwat had no intention to use the bullet for any firearm. On September 13, 2016, the said court granted the motions filed by the PAO for Maliwat; hence, the case against Maliwat was ordered dismissed, and the warrant of arrest issued against her was lifted.
V The Chief Public Attorney received the following prestigious awards, among others, to wit:
a. Sp ial Citation for her special role in the film, "Angela Markado" addressing the elimination of violence against women and girls in connection with the United Nations' 16 Days of Activism Against Women Violence starting November 24 to
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENIIT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 22 of31 December 10, 2016, given by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), on December 4, 2016, at the Century Park Hotel, Manila;
b. Ten OuBbnding 9n Jo*fios in Public *rvice Award from the Municipal Government of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, conferred on November 4,20L6, Siena College of San Jose, Graceville, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan;
c. Plaque of Reognition from the National Press Club (NPC), given on October 28, 2016, at the Bulawagang Plaridel, Intramuros, Manila, on the occasion of the 64h Anniversary of the NPC;
d. Certificate of Appruiation for unwavering assistance in sustaining and strengthening the public seruice content of the news and current affairs program of Radyo Inquirer 990 and Inquirer 990 Television, given on the occasion of the 6th Year Anniversary Celebration of the Trans-Radio Broadcasting Corporation, on September 28, 2016, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila;
e. Gawad Dangal ng Lipi (sa Larangan ng Paglilingkod Bayan), given by the Provincial Government of Bulacan, held on September 15, 2016 at the The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, Malolos, Bulacan; f. OuBbnding fndividual for Govemmerrt *ruice Awad, conferred by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), during its 18s' Founding Anniversary on August 29, 2016 at the Rizal Hall, Malacafian Palace, Manila; g. Oubbnding and Signiftcant Achievement in Public *ruie Awatd,jointly conferred by the Golden Globe Awards Council, National Data Research Examiner and Marketing Services, Inc., Philippine Best Companies. Com, Inc., Sinag News Magazine and Sinag Foundation, Inc., March 13, 2016, Centennial A Grand Ballroom, Manila Hotel.
VI. OTHER SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS a. PAO-Central Office, a drug-fre workplace
In support of the Duterte Administration's campaign to eradicate drug proliferation, and to ensure that the PAO is a drug-free
PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 20T6 Page 23 of 3l workplace, the Administrative Seruice of the PAO-Central Office and Ms. Zillah Glarileen D. Calaunan, Administrative Officer IV of the Executive Support Statr, PAo-Central ffice who is also a registered medical technologist (RMT), conducted random and unannounced drug testing on al! the PAO rank and file employees assigned at the Central Office and its officials, including the Chief Public Attorney.
The series of the said drug testing was conducted from August 1 to 5, 2016. Collectively, the administered drug testing yielded a negative result, i.e., no personnel was tested positive of drug use. As such, the PAo-Central Office was declared a drug-free workplace. b. Assisbnce to drug dependenB tqarding documentation, nepnesen btion, a nd rehabilitation
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) requested the Chief Public Attorney to notarize the Salayays or Affidavits of drug dependents who voluntary surrendered for rehabilitation. Together with some of the PAO's senior lawyers, she responded to their request last June 24,20t6. They notarized the Affidavits of almost five hundred (5OO) drug dependents who surrendered on that day.
As of December 2016, twenty-four thousand five hundred one (24,5OL) individuals have availed of the pro funo services regarding documentation and representation - for rehabilitation purpose - of the PAO through its Regional and District Offices nationwide.
VII. ADMINISTRATIVE CONCERNS
The PAO, in the delivery of its mandated mission, is complemented by severa! administrative units that render support to its technical operations. Altogether, they managed to carry out its operations with utmost efficiency and dedication throughout the year.
. PERSONNEL COMPLEMENT
The table below shows the number of authorized, filled, and unfilled positions in the PAO for the year 20L6, to wit:
Authorized Filled Unfilled Lawyers 1,693 1,688 5 Support 1,025 L,024 1 Personnel TOTAL 2,7L8, 2,7t2 6 ble 9
PAO ACCOMPLISHMEI\rI REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 24 of31 a PERSONNEL MOVEMENT
From January to December 2016, the movement of personnel in the PAO is shown here below:
Lawyer Suppoft Staff TOTAL Recruited 4t3 57 470 Promoted 393 tzt 514 Table No. 10
a PERSONNEL ENHANCEMENT
The PAO has conducted a series of seminars to enhance the capability, knowledge and professional skills of participants in order to mold them into efficient and truly competitive legal counsels.
It has been the PAO's practice to provide continuous seminars and training programs to its personnel, specifically lawyers, to keep them abreast with the recent developments in law and jurisprudence. Thus, ensuring the efficiency and capability of the public attorneys in protecting the rights of the oppressed, indigents, and other qualified clients of the Office.
Aside from training programs and seminars conducted by the Office, lawyers and support personnel from the PAO have likewise attended other trainings, seminars, workshops and conferences upon invitation of other government and non-government organizations.
From January to December 2016, there were about 22O seminars attended by the PAO personnel. A total of 906 lawyers and 34 suppoft staff were registered in attendance.
o FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The approved appropriation for the PAO for the year 2016 is Php2rO61r141rOOO and was fully released, intended to cover funding for the operational requirements. In addition, Performance- Based Bonus of Php21r542r550 was released. The amount of Php19r077,,134 was also released for the Terminal Leave benefits of retired employees, Php353,9271395 was released for Tranche 1 of E.O. 201 and Php95r075l75 was released for filling up newly created positions. The total obligations for FY 2016 amounted to Php2,55O,763$L3.
PAO ACCOMPLISHMEI\II REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 25 of31 a LIBRARY SERVICES
The PAO, through its library selices, envisions giving better and more efficient means of assisting its clientele through the use of modern and advanced information-assisted technology such as the internet, modern fax machines, and telephone units for seamless transmission of output.
For January to December 2016, a total of 228 copies of legal books and reference materials were purchased and distributed to the PAO Regional Offices and District Offices. The PAO Library, through its personnel, was able to collate a total of 2,532 news releases from eleven (11) various broadsheets and tabloids for the year 2016, concerning the Office, its cases, and various programs and projects.
Through its tri-media linkages, the PAO has continuously been rendering legal advice to the general public through the newspaper columns Say Mo Attorney? published in PapleS Tonighf,, har PAO, published in The Manila Times, and Magbnong Kay Attorney, published in Bulgar. A total of 148 articles for Say Mo Attorney?, 346 articles for Dear PAO, and 341 afticles for Magtanong l a OFFICE EQUIPMENT For the period covering Janualy to December, 2016, the PAO purchased and distributed the following office equipment, to wit: Prcperty aquircd: o 135 units Copier . 72L units Printer . 716 units UPS . 33 units Shredder . 33 units Scanner . I unit Digital Duplicator . 3 units Fax Machine . 1 unit Vacuum cleaner . 50 Air conditioning unit . I unit Bookshelf . 72 units Office table . 13 units Executive table . 6 units Computer table . 8O units Clericalchair . 1O3 units Visitor's chair . 126 units Executive chair PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 26 of31 . l Sala set . 39 units Filing cabinet . 2 units Scanner . 2 units Poftable Printer For bidding at PS-DBti . 71.6 units Computer DesKop . 7AG units Computer Printer . 7tG units Uninterruptible Power Supply . 9 units Multifunction Printer o 486 units Open License Package . 213 units Multifunction Copier o 145 packs Multi user packs Antivirus hopefidistrbuM: . 516 units Computer DesKop . 26 units Computer Laptop . 53O units Computer Printer . 557 units UPS . 133 units Copier . 33 units Scanner . 32 units Shredder Since the undersigned's assumption to office, it has been her battle cry to put into oblivion the traditional impression of public offices littered with office supply and obsolete and/or worn out office equipment. With the purchase of the foregoing office furnishings, such as chairs, filing cabinets, tables, and posture chairs, the PAO personnel were able to perform their duties in a more office-friendly environment. Needless to say, it somehow contributed to the continuously swelling public trust to the services of the PAO. WII. TECHNICALOPERATIONS 1. PAO-NLRC SUB-STATION By virtue of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), the Office maintains its sub-station at the NLRC, located in Banawe in Quezon City, to serve its clients. The sub-station facilitates the rendition of legal assistance to complaining workers before the NLRC and aims to expedite the proceedings; hence, it makes its services more accessible to complaining workers. PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 20T6 Page 27 of 31 The efficiency and effectiveness of this office has been proven for years. For the period covering January to December 2016, a total of 18,079 clients were accommodated and given legal assistance, under this agreement. 2. RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION For the year 2016, a total of 4,486 research works were duly accomplished by the Public Attorneyt Office through the Legal Research Seruice. For the said period, the PAO, through the Legal Research Service, was able to answer 148 legal queries and these were published in newspapers of national circulation. These include legal questions from the public that were either directly addressed or referred to the PAO. The sudden upsurge in the number of research works was brought about by the increasing public trust coupled with consistent tri-media linkages as means of education and information dissemination of the PAO. Perhaps, the accessibility of the undersigned Chief Public Attorney, personally, to the reach of the public has, for one reason, made a great difference. 3. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPI.AINTS AGAINST PAO EMPLOYEES From January to December 2016, 2O3 aw werc rcslved and terminaW out of 33O administratiye omplainB received by the PAO - Legal Research Seruice. As a result of these cases, several PAO Personnel received administrative sanctions, after due notice and hearing pursuant to the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases for the Civil Service. Four (4) were Fined, three (3) were Reprimanded, forty-eight (48) were Admonished, sixty-one (61) were Warned/Strictly/Sternly Warned, one hundred and seventy-seven (177) were Advised, two (2) were Suspended, and three (3) were Dismissed from Seruice. This further proves the PAO's thrust in fulfilling its mandate effectively, even to the extent of disciplining its own ranks. This shows that misconduct or unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated, especially since the PAO, through the mantle of fortitude of the undersigned, has been trying to preserve the integrity not only of the entire agency but of every lawyer and personnel appointed in the Office. PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 28 of 31 IX. Continuino Plans and Proorams A. Conduct training/seminars on the 2016 Revised Operations Manual and Code of Conduct for Public Attorneys and Support Staff; B. Organized the 6u Public Attorney's Office National Convention and Mandatory Continuing Legal Education for the enhancement of skills and competence of Public Attorneys; C. Coordinate with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the construction of the PAO Central Office's own building. D. Development of an internal operating system to address all Information Technology (IT) concerns, for the rendition of prompt and more effective legal services to the indigents; E. Organization, establishment and maintenance of database, case management, and monitoring system for all cases handled by the PAO nationwide; F. Establishment and maintenance of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) in all Regional and District offices of PAO; G. Compliance with ISO 9000 and the Government Quality Management Systems Standards (GQMSS), pursuant to Administrative Order No. 161, dated October 5, 2006; H. Maintain and upgrade the PAO Forensic Laboratory for the fuftherance of investigation being conducted relative to cases handled by this Office, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9745 (Anti- Torture Act of 2009), Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004), Republic Act No. 8353 (Anti-Rape Law), and other existing laws mandating the PAO to assist the victims or accused on a first come-first served basis; I. Development of talents of personnel through trainings and support to the PAo-Chorale members; J. Poliry advocacy and coordination for the enhancement of the PAO Victims' Protection Unit; PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR TIIE YEAR 2016 Page 29 of31 K. Continuously carry out activities and outreach programs for the welfare of prisoners and inmates such as the PAO's Legal and Medical lail Visitation and Decongestion Program; L. Continuous promotion of good governance, professionalism, and anti-corruption measures; M.Continuous improvement of communication facilities and other office equipment; N. Vigorous effiorts to implement compensation scheme, financial incentives and retirement benefits of the Public Attorneys to further motivate them in discharging their duties and/or stay in the service pursuant to R.A. No. 9406 (PAO Law); O.Increase the number of lawyers and support staff assigned in each of the Regional and District Offices for a more effective and efficient delivery of services pursuant to Republic Act 9406 (PAO Law); P, Continuous coordination with the tri-media for the advancement of the PAO outreach activities, more particularly, dissemination of free legal advice, counselling, and mediation; Q. Vigorously pursue the rendition of prompt, effective and adequate legal services to the indigent sector; R. Maintain programs and policies in achieving viftues of excellence, integrity, professionalism and moral values of all Public Attorneys and staff; S. Strive to achieve the ideal situation of one Public Attorney being assigned to one couft for a more effective and efficient representation of clients; T. Empowerment of the PAO's capacity in promoting Gender and Development (GAD) Program of the government such as the creation of projects and activities that will promote gender sensitivity; U. Continuous active participation of the PAO in the on-going anti- drugs, anti-corruption, pro-poor and social justice programs of the Duterte administration; and V. Continuous cooperation with the coufts in the case decongestion program being spearheaded by the Supreme Court. PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 30 of 31 Concluding Statement The Public Attorney's Office humbly submits this Accomplishment Report - reflecting its achievements, awards, and recognitions as the testimony for its unrelenting efforts in pursuing its mandate and ensuring that economic impoverishment will never be a hindrance in getting equal access to the courts along with the retention of quality legal service. Despite the limited resources at its disposal, the PAo was able to assist more than eight million clients for the year 2016. Essentially, the Philippine Government only spent p286.393 as legal fees for each client that was serued by the pAo. This only shows that the allocated budget for the PAo was prudently, judiciously and efficiently utilized to maintain its operations and serve its clientele. Rest assured, as one of the bastions of justice in the country, the PAO will continuously maintain its long-standing commitment to serve the nation, fulfill its duty and mandate under the law and the Constitution, ultimately to endeavor in assisting every needy person in the indiscriminate dispensation of justice. January 26, 20L7 DR. v. RUEDA-ACOSTA -Chief Publ tnttllwX rdg ,( 3 Tobl audget rwi@ esrcluding Termrhal Leave for the yar 2016 (diuidd by) Total numfur of clienB Assistd/*rud for the year 2016. PAO ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2016 Page 3l of31