Senators praise PAO during budget hearing
SEVERAL senators have praised the performance of the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) in extending free legal services to millions of indigent Filipinos. Sens. Grace Poe, Robinhood Padilla, Aquilino Pimentel III and Joel Villanueva heaped praises on PAO's performance during the public hearing of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) 2025 budget. Padilla cited PAO and its chief, Persida Rueda-Acosta, for their efforts in reaching out to those who have no access to legal services. "The PAO and PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta were really helping a lot of our fellowmen, especially those in the poor sector; with that, I am very thankful to you," said Padilla, a former comedy and action star, in Filipino. Poe, Senate Committee on Finance chairman, said she fully supported the PAO, specifically on the issue of parity of treatment and pay. She recalled working "on certain points" with Rueda-Acosta when the senator sought the agency's help. Villanueva commended the leadership of Rueda-Acosta, saying PAO was DOJ's only attached agency that was able to efficiently utilize and disburse its available appropriations. "We also wanted to send the right signal to our young people that if you want to really serve the country and you have that noble intention to make a difference, be a PAO lawyer," he added. Rueda-Acosta said in an interview that she and the entire PAO officials, employees and over 2,500 public attorneys were more motivated to continue helping poor Filipinos in their quest for justice. "We appreciate the tenor of the statements of the lawmakers, as those reflect the praises of the PAO's million clientele and the credibility of the effective legal representation for the needy and qualified clients," she said.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
SEVERAL senators have praised the performance of the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) in extending free legal services to millions of indigent Filipinos.
Sens. Grace Poe, Robinhood Padilla, Aquilino Pimentel III and Joel Villanueva heaped praises on PAO's performance during the public hearing of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) 2025 budget.
Padilla cited PAO and its chief, Persida Rueda-Acosta, for their efforts in reaching out to those who have no access to legal services.
"The PAO and PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta were really helping a lot of our fellowmen, especially those in the poor sector; with that, I am very thankful to you," said Padilla, a former comedy and action star, in Filipino.
Poe, Senate Committee on Finance chairman, said she fully supported the PAO, specifically on the issue of parity of treatment and pay.
She recalled working "on certain points" with Rueda-Acosta when the senator sought the agency's help.
Villanueva commended the leadership of Rueda-Acosta, saying PAO was DOJ's only attached agency that was able to efficiently utilize and disburse its available appropriations.
"We also wanted to send the right signal to our young people that if you want to really serve the country and you have that noble intention to make a difference, be a PAO lawyer," he added.
Rueda-Acosta said in an interview that she and the entire PAO officials, employees and over 2,500 public attorneys were more motivated to continue helping poor Filipinos in their quest for justice.
"We appreciate the tenor of the statements of the lawmakers, as those reflect the praises of the PAO's million clientele and the credibility of the effective legal representation for the needy and qualified clients," she said.
