Reorganizing and Strengthening Public Attorney's Office

The Citizen's Legal Assistance Office (CLAO) is renamed to Public Attorney's Office (PAO).
PAO is an independent and autonomous office attached to the DOJ for policy and program coordination.
PAO is the principal government law office providing free legal assistance to indigent persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative, and quasi-judicial cases.

PAO independently renders free legal representation, assistance, and counseling to indigent persons in various types of cases.
May provide legal services to other persons as requested by proper government authorities subject to existing laws and regulations.

The PAO consists of:
1. Office of the Chief Public Attorney and two Deputy Chief Public Attorneys (one for Administration, one for Operations).
2. Six central office line divisions including Administrative, Financial Planning and Management, Special and Appealed Cases, Legal Research and Statistics, Field Services and Statistics, and Executive Divisions.
3. Regional, Provincial, City, and Municipal District Offices.

Led by a Chief Public Attorney with two Deputies.
Regional Offices headed by Regional Public Attorneys, assisted by Assistant Regional Public Attorneys.
Officials have qualifications, rank, salaries, allowances, and retirement privileges equivalent to their counterparts in the National Prosecution Service.
Administrative personnel have ranks and salaries equivalent to their counterparts in the National Prosecution Service.

Chief and Deputy Chief Public Attorneys appointed by the President.
Deputy Chiefs and Regional Public Attorneys appointed by the President upon Chief Public Attorney's recommendation.
Removal or suspension only for lawful cause.
Preferably appointees have at least five years of experience as Public Attorneys prior to appointment.
Other personnel appointed by the Chief Public Attorney per civil service rules.
Vacancy due to death, incapacity, removal, or resignation filled by presidential appointment or acting designation.
Temporary absence of Chief Public Attorney managed by Officer-in-Charge designation.
Incumbents continue in office without need for new appointments.

PAO clients exempt from payment of docket and other fees in court and quasi-judicial proceedings.
Costs and fees awarded against adversaries deposited as trust fund for PAO special allowances.
Local government units may support PAO with financial aid, office space, equipment, and manpower subject to capability.

PAO may send official communications through mail free of charge.
Mail envelopes must indicate PAO address and a warning that unauthorized use is penalized.

Maintains one public attorney position per organized court (sala) with necessary administrative and support staff.

PAO lawyers authorized to administer oaths in connection with their duties.
Officers authorized to administer oaths generally obliged only in official matters and without fees unless otherwise specified.

Chief, Deputies, Regional, Provincial, City, and Municipal Public Attorneys, and supervising PAO lawyers granted special allowances.
Allowances amount determined by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Chief Public Attorney, capped at 100% of basic salary.

DBM and PAO to issue rules within 90 days after approval for effective implementation.

Inconsistent laws, executive orders, proclamations, or rules repealed or modified accordingly.

Invalidity of any provision does not affect remaining provisions which stay in effect.

Act takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation.