THE Public Attorney’s Office deserves bigger funds to ensure that poor Filipinos facing legal battle over fabricated charges are defended in court.
Recognizing the compassion and avowed duty to provide free legal services for indigent Filipinos nationwide, Senator Bong Go hailed public lawyers during the 7th Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Accredited National Convention Public Attorney’s Day at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
“Karangalan ko po ang maimbitahan sa pagtitipong ito kasama ang mga magigiting na abogado ng Public Attorney’s Office na napakahalaga ang papel sa pagtiyak ng hustisya para sa karaniwang Pilipino. Saludo ako sa inyong lahat sa pagpili ng landas ng serbisyo publiko sa kabila ng mga mabibigat na hamong dulot nito,” remarked Go.
“Isang importanteng haligi ng isang malusog na demokrasya ang pagkakaroon nito ng isang fair at inclusive na justice system. Dahil dito, masisiguro ng demokratikong bansa na ang katarungan ay hindi lamang para sa mga mayayamang mamamayan na ito kundi para sa lahat,” he underscored.
The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) was established to serve as the primary government agency to delivery free legal services to financially incapacitated Filipinos in judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings. The senator highlighted PAO’s significant contributions to the society, saying, “Magkakaroon din ng kumpiyansa ang sambayanan sa kanilang gobyerno kung masasandalan nila ito sa paghahanap ng katarungan sa kanilang mga kaso.”
“Kayo po ang nagsisiguro na ang katarungan sa ating bansa ay para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino. Ganyan po kahalaga ang iyong mandato. Ipinaglalaban ninyo ang karapatan ng tao at hustisya kahit walang pambayad,” he added.
Reaffirming his support for all PAO lawyers, Go then urged them to remain committed to helping their fellow Filipinos, upholding the law and promoting justice. Go added that it is important for PAO to receive adequate funding to make certain that they would be able to fulfill their duties and further improve their services. “Susuporta po ako sa mga panukala na makakatulong po sa mga mahihirap, na hindi sila mapabayaan. So itong mga PAO lawyers na ito, ito po ‘yung nakikipaglaban sa korte. Susuporta po ako sa kanila sa abot po ng aking makakaya as senator and as member po ng Justice Committee sa Senado,” said Go during the ambush interview after the event.
Outstanding senator
Meanwhile, Go was recognized by PAO as one of the outstanding senators of the year.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte was also awarded as an outstanding president. Go then reassured that he will continue to serve the Filipinos to the best of his ability, noting that prioritizing their welfare is his sworn duty as a public servant.
“Lubos din po akong natutuwa sa pagkilalang inihandog ninyo sa akin bilang outstanding senator. Tunay pong nakakataba ng puso ang parangal na ito na iginawad ninyo sa akin. Sa totoo lang po, ayaw namin ng award ni dating pangulong Duterte dahil ginagawa lang namin ang aming tungkulin at trabaho. Ngunit salamat pa rin po sa parangal na ito,” expressed Go.
“With or without award magtatrabaho at magseserbisyo po ako sa kapwa ko Pilipino. Dahil ang bisyo ko ay magserbisyo, at dahil naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he concluded. For his part as a lawmaker, Go has been consistently pushing for legislative measures to protect and promote the welfare of Filipinos in need of government attention the most. Among the bills being pushed by Go is Senate Bill No. 1188 which amends Republic Act No. 7610, or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”
According to the senator, this is to “address incongruent penalties for acts of lasciviousness committed against a child.” He also refiled SBN 1186 and 1187, that shall add more divisions in the Court of Appeals (CA) and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), respectively. Go reiterated that the right to a speedy trial and disposition is usually infringed due to unpredictable and oppressive delays. Thus, SBN 1186 shall amend the Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, otherwise known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act, to restructure the CA to declog the appellate court’s dockets.
It seeks to add three more divisions of the CA, each with three members. On the other hand, SBN 1187 shall amend the relevant provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines and create an additional division of the NLRC to be established in Davao City. It shall likewise increase the number of commissioners from 23 to 26 as each NLRC division is composed of three members.
