Mayor’s help to
expedite Legal Assistance to Poor
Press Release
July
3, 2011
QUEZON CITY – Amid
increasing cases of criminality and unresolved court cases, the League
of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) will help expedite and
broaden the reach of services rendered by the Public Attorney’s Office
(PAO), the government agency tasked to assist the poor who cannot
access legal services.
During the signing of
the Memorandum of Agreement between LMP and PAO held in Quezon City
recently, Mayor Strike Revilla of Bacoor, Cavite LMP President, said
that the partnership is aimed to strengthen primarily the Barangay
Justice System as a foundation for extending services.
“This program will
strengthen the Barangay Justice System by providing Barangays with
education and orientation. We are going to empower them by holding
seminars to deepen their understanding and improve their mediation
skills,” said Mayor Revilla. “Our courts are so loaded with cases
that can be resolved at the Barangay level if only we can strengthen
our Barangay Justice System,” he added.
Meanwhile, Atty.
Persida Acosta, PAO Chief expressed appreciation to the initiative as
it will strengthen and expedite the referral system between the
municipalities and PAO. She said, “the program will pave the way for
a faster and simple referral and coordination system. For example, any
case happening in a municipality where free legal services for the
poor are needed, the Mayor can easily refer the case to us,” she
explained.
The MOA between the
LMP and PAO will actively promote and advocate mutual cooperation and
coordination for the smooth provision of free legal assistance to the
constituent and facilitate continuing dialogues to define future
initiatives such as policy changes and reforms. Local Government
Units (LGUs) will also provide PAO’s regional or district offices with
free office space, equipment and other resources that the program may
need.
“We have to dream and
while dreaming we have to take an action,” said Mayor Revilla. “We
cannot do everything in one sitting, but we can always start with this
one. We need to help a lot of our constituents but there are only
limited numbers of attorneys that can give free legal assistance, now
we are solving that problem. We need to start somewhere; and know the
problem clearly and give this solution,” he said.
