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)
Good news to all OFWs and Filipino Residing Abroad!
Good news! Under Supreme Court Administrative Matter (AM) No. 20-12-01, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipinos residing abroad can now avail of video conferencing to testify in court hearings. PDF copy of AM 20-12-01 can be downloaded from this site: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/16099/?fbclid=IwAR0LWNGwldByYVsQ0zWR2kygpFLirxy9O9tsQTW6iMttTqrjOLG8qoiXhQU.
This makes it convenient and safe for OFWs and Filipinos residing abroad to file cases or testify in pending cases even when they are outside the country.For more information about AM No. 20-12-01, kindly email at causingdelacruzlaw@gmail.com.
All online consultations are free of charge.
Authority to Prosecute Criminal Cases
In cases where only the civil liability is being prosecuted by a private prosecutor, the head of the prosecution office must issue in favor of the private prosecutor a written authority to try the case even in the absence of the public prosecutor. The written authority must be submitted to the court prior to the presentation of evidence by the private prosecutor in accordance with Sec. 5, Rule 110. With this authority on record, the court may set the trial in the case and in other cases tried by private prosecutors with delegated authority on separate days when the presence of the public prosecutor may be dispensed with.
We are moving near you
Starting March 2020, Causing and Dela Cruz Law Offices will be transferring its principal office address at Solid Building, Pison Ave. San Rafael Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
It is next door to Kucho Cafe, Sony Service Center and Saladmaster.
The new office has ample parking spaces for its clients and is located at the heart of bustling Ayala Land’s Atria Commercial and Residential District.
Happy New Year 2020!
From all of us here at the Firm, may you have a prosperous new year!
Causing Dela Cruz Law Office 