The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) has assisted a total of 47,961,758 indigent Filipinos from July 2022, when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office, up to December 2025.

Consistently branded as the “Poor People’s Top Defender,” the PAO continues to enjoy the trust of many Filipinos, as reflected in the growing number of indigent and underprivileged individuals who rely on its free legal services.

Led by Chief Public Attorney Persida Acosta, the PAO serves as the primary public defender in criminal, civil, labor, and administrative cases involving marginalized and oppressed sectors of society. During the same period, the agency secured the release of some 302,103 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

Records showed that PAO lawyers from its various offices nationwide handled a total of 1,753,374 cases.

The agency posted a favorable disposition rate of 87.14 percent in criminal cases and an overall favorable disposition rate of 83.27 percent across all cases. PAO lawyers were also responsible for the acquittal of 88,444 indigent defendants during the period covered.

PAO, which was formerly known as the Citizens Legal Assistance Office before the enactment of Republic Act No. 9406 in 2006, has consistently emerged as one of the most trusted institutions in the justice sector. Based on a Social Weather Stations survey conducted in 2021, PAO ranked among the most trusted justice-related offices and professional groups.

Acosta said the agency continues to maximize its resources to reach Filipinos who lack access to justice.

From its traditional modes of assisting walk-in clients and hotline callers, PAO has expanded its reach through digital platforms by launching its online legal advice program, #PALA (Persida Acosta’s Legal Advice). The program is aired on Facebook and uploaded on various social media platforms to make legal assistance more accessible to the public.

Deputy Chief Public Attorney Erwin Erfe, who also serves as director of PAO’s Forensics Laboratory Division, cited the agency’s participation in First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos’ “Lab for All” caravan. Through the initiative, more Filipinos have availed themselves of free government services, including legal assistance.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Public Attorney Ana Lisa Soriano said PAO regularly conducts seminars and training programs to enhance the competence, knowledge, and professional skills of its workforce, particularly its public lawyers.

Acosta emphasized that public trust in PAO is anchored on its three guiding principles: transparency, accountability, and empowerment.

“Everybody can text or communicate directly with me through my public phone, any time, day and night, that I personally see and read. I would immediately know the problems of Filipinos,” she said.

“That is transparency, and that includes how PAO spends its budget properly,” added Acosta, who marked nearly 25 years as PAO chief following her appointment by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

She also took pride in PAO’s clean financial record, stressing that the agency has not faced any disallowances or budget suspensions.

“We never have disallowances or suspensions. For more than 24 years, PAO has been spending its budget wisely and accordingly,” she said.

On accountability, Acosta noted that the agency has approved the dismissal of several public attorneys in the past who faced complaints related to their official duties, underscoring PAO’s commitment to integrity and public service.