Can a PAO lawyer represent his relatives?

Pursuant to Section 5-A of MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR No. 18 (Series of 2002), a lawyer connected with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) can only represent immediate members of his family and relatives provided that these are within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity and with approval of the Regional Director. Section 5-A is quoted below in toto:

Sec. 5-A. Other Persons Qualified for Assistance. – Immediate members of the
family and relatives within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of PAO
lawyers may avail of his services regardless of qualification under the indigency test,
with the approval of the Regional Director, if the case is within the his region or the
Chief Public Attorney, if the case is outside of his region and provided further that the
lawyer files a leave of absence on the day of the hearing. (Memorandum Circular
No. 1, series of 1998, dated February 20, 1998)