Charles Teves
Following the signing of an agreement on Wednesday with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and the Department of Labor and Employment, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is now able to provide free legal aid and employment opportunities (DOLE).
Sara Duterte, who is also the Secretary of Education, noted that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is focused on “peace and entrepreneurship.” However, some of the issues that the OVP and its satellite offices have been receiving are not aligned with the priorities that were stated.
According to the Vice President, they look for partners like DOLE to serve those who are in need of emergency employment; and PAO for those who seek legal assistance.
She shared, “Iba’t iba iyong mga nakukuha namin na mga concerns ng mga tao. And karamihan noon ay mga concerns na dapat idulog o i-refer sa iba pang mga national government offices. Iyon ang direksyon namin.”
According to the head of the PAO, Persida Acosta, her agency is able to deploy lawyers to satellite offices of the OVP located around the country.
Acosta said, “Ang ating inaasahan ay lalong maaabot ng mahihirap sa mga dalampasigan, kabundukan at mga baybayin ang mga legal aid, pagpunta sa korte, panghingi ng hustisya.”
Netizens were confused since the PAO’s function is actually to provide free legal services to people.
Tatak persida. Sinakyan naman ni Sara. https://t.co/y686KkXFtq
— Ma'amSyj🇵🇭 (@MaamSyj) November 16, 2022
https://twitter.com/lakwatsarah/status/1592743946706653184
Di ba dati nang trabaho ng PAO ang magbigay ng libreng serbisyo legal sa mga di kayang magbayad sa abogado?
So, anong bago ngayon? Nang uuto ka na naman ng mga di pamilyar sa serbisyo ng PAO, Sara. Sinama mo pa yang endorser ng Chin Chun Su. https://t.co/NM9xNgYoSe
— AtengSharlene (@AtengSharlene) November 16, 2022
Why do you need a memorandum of agreement when it’s literally what the PAO is supposed to do anyway? 🤡 https://t.co/5BMiNyQJqk pic.twitter.com/BCOOSYeyjC
— Nuelle⁷🪷🍉 (@nuelleduterte) November 16, 2022
Pakulo ni SWOH para masabing may nagawa:
Nakipagpirmahan daw ng Memorandum of Understanding sa PAO para magbigay ng Free Legal Assistance.
Eh mandate naman talaga ng PAO ang responsibilidad na yan. So anong bago dyan!
Galawang TRAPO!
— Clive Reyes (@datumx11) November 16, 2022
I did not know that PAO isn’t free until today. https://t.co/rUKx0nuu8H
— Pari Koy (@pads_nosi) November 16, 2022
I dunno about you, but I distrust anyone who still gives Chinchansu the benefit of the doubt. https://t.co/cJwWpFTvmn
— JC Punongbayan (@jcpunongbayan) November 16, 2022
The Public Attorney's Office, mandated to provide free legal assistance, signed a MOA to…. provide free legal assistance. pic.twitter.com/UAOFAVKnkW
— Rommel Lopez (@RommelFLopez) November 16, 2022
Seriously? VP Sara Duterte and PAO Chief Persida Acosta signed a MOA to provide free legal assistance for the poor and marginalized? Isn’t that the mandate of the PAO? Why is the OVP going to do the PAO’s job? VP has much to do at DepEd and wants the PAO, too? pic.twitter.com/FNXVzY0SIi
— Miss Maggie (@MiaMagdalena) November 16, 2022
PAO agrees to be… PAO. Great. https://t.co/Zsrp54Xt6y
— Nico Quejano (@nicoquejano) November 16, 2022
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will provide assistance through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program, according to Undersecretary of Labor Felipe Egargo Jr. This program provides displaced workers with temporary jobs while they look for permanent employment.
The undersecretary explained, “Sila (OVP) po ang magbibigay ng beneficiaries sa iba-ibang rehiyon ng ating bansa. At kami naman po ang magbibigay ng pasahod doon sa mga mae-employ na mga workers.”
According to Egargo, the number of workers varies greatly depending on the needs of a specific municipality or region.
Those interested can go directly to the OVP central office or one of its satellite offices, where staff will address their concerns or direct them to the appropriate government departments.
