THE Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) regularly enjoys high trust ratings because its personnel, including 2,500 public lawyers, are guided by three parameters — transparency, accountability and empowerment.
“Everybody can text or communicate directly with me through my public phone, any time, day and night, that I see and read myself. I would know quickly the problem of every Filipino,” PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta told The Manila Times’ streaming show, “PrimeTimes with Atty. Lia Badillo-Crisostomo.”
“That is transparency, and that includes how PAO spends its budget properly,” the chief public attorney said.
Lia Basilan-Crisostomo interviews PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta (right).
Rueda-Acosta, who just marked her 23rd year as PAO chief, took pride in her agency’s clean record as far as spending the taxpayers’ hard-earned money is concerned.
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“We never have disallowances or suspensions. It’s now more than 23 years that PAO has been spending its budget wisely and accordingly,” she said in Filipino.
Regarding PAO’s accountability, Rueda-Acosta said she had approved the dismissal of several public attorneys in the past who faced various complaints related to their jobs.
“But of course, they were dismissed after due process was accorded to them,” Rueda-Acosta said, adding that she makes sure that every lawyer and staff of PAO are accountable for whatever they do — good or bad.
While she is strict with PAO’s internal and civil service rules, Rueda-Acosta said she is quick to give rewards, “even cash, as long as there are savings and allocations to the PAO personnel for doing their job well.”
On empowerment, she said she has been spearheading for years the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education for over 2,500 public lawyers. The next is scheduled for August at the Philippine International Convention Center.
“We have regular training and seminars for them to be more effective in extending the legal services to our poor countrymen; that’s empowerment,” Rueda-Acosta said.
She admitted that she had been doubly inspired in doing her job as the chief public attorney for over two decades, mainly due to the trust and confidence given by the people to her and PAO over the years.
“I am happy and inspired because every time I walk in the streets, the people would greet and thank me,” Rueda-Acosta said.
In 2021, PAO and its public attorney emerged as the most trusted among the justice sector and professionals based on a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
Another recent SWS survey, specifically on Dec. 8-11, 2023, showed Rueda-Acosta as one of the top picks in the Senate race for the 2025 midterm elections.
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