Lawyers from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) are asking the Cebu City government for financial aid.
In a letter to Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella dated March 10, the PAO lawyers justified their request by saying that the bulk of the cases they handle involve indigent residents whom they represent in court free of charge.
“The outcome of our request won’t affect our priority to continually uphold the PAO’s mandate to render, free of charge, legal representation, assistance and counseling to indigent persons including Cebu City residents,” their letter read.
Eighteen PAO lawyers signed the letter which was noted by regional public attorney Ma. G-Ree Calinawan.
The matter was included in the City Council agenda last March 19. The letter was referred to the Mayor’s Office and the City Council budget committee for review.