1. Application of Merit Test.

If an assessment of the law and evidence on hand discloses that the

legal services of the office will assist, or be in aid of, or in furtherance
of justice, taking into consideration the interests of the party and those
of society. PAO shall represent the party concerned.

* If it appears, from an evaluation of the law and evidence on hand

that it has no chance of success, or is intended merely to harass or
injure the opposite party, or to cause oppression or wrong.

2. Non-application of merit test.

If the indigent client is the defendant or respondent in a civil or
administrative case already filed in any court or quasi-judicial agency

3. 5 salient features of R.A. 9406.

a. The Chief Public Attorney, Deputy Chief Public Attorneys and
Regional Public Attorneys shall not be removed or suspended, except
for cause provided by law;

b. The clients of the PAO are exempted from payment of docket and
other fees incidental to instituting an action in court and other quasi-
judicial bodies;

c. The PAO is exempted from payment of charges on postage stamps

and mail matters;

d. Public Attorney’s positions at the ratio of one public attorney to an

organized court sala;

e. PAO lawyers have general authority to administer oaths in connection

with the performance of duty. No need to apply before the courts for
authority as notary public;

f. The Chief Public Attorney, the Deputy Chief Public Attorneys, the
Regional Public Attorneys, the Provincial, City and Municipal District
Public Attorneys, other PAO lawyers and officials who have direct
supervision over PAO lawyers shall be granted special allowances not
exceeding 100% of the basic salary of PAO officials and lawyers.
4. Requirements to be a regular client of PAO.
Any of the following proofs of indigency:

i. Latest Income Tax Return;

ii. Certificate of Indigency from the DSWD
Office where the applicant resides; or
iii. Certificate of Indigency from the Barangay
Chairman of the place where the applicant
resides.

5. What is tardiness.
The failure of the employee to arrive at a time set, lack of punctuality,
or not arriving on time.

6. Enumerate cases which may be provisionally accepted.

a. Where a warrant for the arrest of the applicant has been issued;

b. Where a pleading has to be filed immediately to avoid adverse effects

to the client;

c. Where an appeal or petition for certiorari or prohibition has

to be perfected or filed immediately;

d. Where the Public Attorney is appointed by the court as counsel

de oficio to represent the defendant during the trial of the case,
provided, however, that if a subsequent investigation discloses
that the client is not indigent, the lawyer should respectfully
request the court to relieve him;

e. Where the Public Attorney is designated on the spot as counsel

de oficio for the purpose only of arraignment, pre-trial or the
promulgation of the decision;

f. Where a Public Attorney is called upon by proper government

authorities to render assistance to other persons who are in need
of legal services subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;
and
 g. Other similar urgent cases.

7. Non-application of indigency test.

a. Legal assistance to women and their children subjected to violence
under R.A. 9262

b. Cases entailing national and security interest as determined by the

Chief Public Attorney

c. Urgent cases that may need immediate action to avoid injustice

d. Appointed as counsel de oficio in criminal cases

e. Legal assistance to Police Officers sued in connection to their

respective police duties.

f. Legal assistance to Children in Conflict with the Law

g. Requests for advice or opinions

8. Things that a PAO Lawyer should bear in mind when administering an

oath.
a. The PAO lawyer concerned shall subscribe the notarized document/s
using a designated format

b. The PAO lawyer concerned shall keep and maintain a separate record
book which shall be used to register all the oaths administered
indicating therein the date when oath was administered, a brief
description of the document, the name of the swearing party and
witnesses, if any

c. The PAO lawyer concerned shall submit a monthly report of the oaths
administered to the Field Operations and Statistics Service.

9. What kind of document that cannot be administered by a PAO lawyer?

Commercial documents.
10.What are the judicial services of PAO.
a. Representation of Indigent Accused in Court (Criminal Cases)

b. Preparation of responsive pleadings and Representation of

Indigent defendant in Ordinary Civil Actions

c. Preparation of responsive pleadings and Representation of

Indigent defendant/respondent in Special Proceeding

d. Preparation of responsive pleadings and Representation of

Indigent defendant/respondent in Special Civil Actions

e. Preparation and filing of Complaint in Ordinary Civil Action

f. Preparation and filing of Complaint/petition in Special Civil Actions

g. Preparation and filing of petition in Special Proceedings

h. Representation of employee-complainant in Labor Cases

i. Representation of indigent in Administrative Cases

j. Preparation of Affidavits / Representation of Indigents in preliminary

investigation

11.Non-judicial services of PAO.

a. Preparation of affidavits, administration of oaths and documentation

b. Legal Counselling

c. Mediation/conciliation services

12.What are the outreach activities of PAO.

a. Assistance to persons undergoing police interrogation or persons
under detention and inquest proceedings

b. Jail visitations
 c. Barangay outreach programs

13. Why do PAO lawyers have to sign at the logbook/DTR?

To serve as a record of a PAO lawyer’s attendance at a particular
place or activity, which is essential in determining the fitness and
performance of a PAO lawyer in his/her job.

14.Definition of PAO per RA 9406.

The Citizens Legal Assistance Office (CLAO) is renamed Public
Attorney’s Office (PAO). It shall exercise powers and functions as are
now provided by law for the Citizen’s Legal Assistance Office or may
hereafter be provided by law.

The PAO shall be an independent and autonomous office but attached

to the Department of Justice in accordance with Section 38(3),
Chapter 7, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987 for purposes
of policy and program coordination.

The Public Attorney’s Office shall be the principal law office of the
government in extending free legal assistance to indigent persons in
criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases.

15.“PAO is an independent autonomous office but attached to the DOJ”,

explain.
It only refers to an administrative relationship only for purposes of
policy and program coordination, such as budgetary purposes. DOJ
does not have control and supervision over PAO such as the latter’s
day-to-day operations.

16.Why do employees wear uniform?

Maintaining modesty and proper decorum in the civil service. It also
leaves an impression on the public on whether or not government
 officials and employees perform and discharge their duties with the
highest degree of excellence and professionalism.

17.Powers of PAO chief.

The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the
PAO and for the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested
in the Chief Public Attorney.

The PAO shall independently discharge its mandate to render, free of

charge, legal representation, assistance, and counselling to indigent
persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-
judicial cases.

i.e. Power to investigate torture cases, designation of a Deputy

Chief Public Attorney for Administration

18.Who recommends appointment of deputies.

The Deputy Chief Public Attorneys and Regional Public Attorneys
shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the
Chief Public Attorney.

19.What are the sanctions that can be given to an erring employee.

a. Dismissal from service
b. Suspension
c. Demotion
d. Reprimand
e. Preventive suspension

20.Which among the aforementioned sanctions are not considered as a

penalty.
Preventive suspension. It is designed merely as a measure of
precaution so that the official or employee charged may be removed
from the scene of his/her alleged
misfeasance/malfeasance/nonfeasance while the same is being
investigated.
21.When is an employee considered as ideal.
Cool-headed and warm-hearted employee who is guided with
integrity.

22.How will you deal with the clients and staff of PAO.
Public office is a public trust. I will discharge my duties with utmost
responsibility, integrity, competence and loyalty; act with patriotism
and justice; lead modest lives; and uphold public interest over
personal interest.
Treat them with Courtesy, Fairness and Impartiality

23.Three examples of Conflict of Interest

a. When the adverse party against whom an attorney appears is his
relative within the fourth civil degree.

b. Cases where the opposing parties are present clients of an attorney in

the same action.

c. Cases where the opposing parties are present clients of an attorney in

a totally unrelated case. 

24.What are the requirements for the renewal of contract of a public

attorney.
a. Submit year-end reports which shall be the basis of his/her
performance as a PAO lawyer.
b. Be in good standing and have observed the rules and regulations of
PAO
c. Maintain trust and confidence with PAO.

25.Relationship of PAO Central office with PAO Regional and district

offices/
If the function or activity requires central or interregional action, the
function may be performed by PAO Regional Office under the
supervision and control of PAO Central Office.
If the function requires regional action, district office will be under the
supervision and control of the Regional Office.

Direct supervision and control.

Computer

#1 Tell me something about yourself.

#2 Why do you want to work here in PAO.

Interview

#1 Meron kang client na nasa arraignment stage na pero walang malakas na

evidence against him. Umamin si client sa iyo na ni-rape at pinatay niya si
victim. Ano ang gagawin mo? Papaaminin mo ba siya or hindi.
- Paano naman iyong victim, kawawa naman? Umamin na yung
accused eh.

#2 Meron kang client, kaso iyong birth certificate niya walang nakalagay na
first name. Ano ang advice mo sa kanya?

#3 Conflict of interest RIRIH parehong PAO lawyers Accused and

complainant. Parehong PAO Lawyer. Basis first come first served

#4 Same, however file a case against the operator. No. Conflict of interest pa
rin. Determination of the case will be based