PAO lawyers treated as ‘second-class citizens’ by peers

I am a New Bilibid Prison inmate serving a corrective sentence. I had two cases dismissed with the help of lawyers from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO). A PAO lawyer is also helping me in another, still-pending case.

I believe in the integrity of PAO lawyers and their dedication to their duty to defend poor and needy clients despite their being looked down upon by their peers in government as “second-class citizens” and being deprived of benefits due them upon retirement. This is injustice.

And this injustice could take its toll on them, their families and clients. I hope the government officials concerned will review this insensitive setup and not base their decision on technicalities.

I still believe that our PAO lawyers will receive what they justly deserve—in due time.

—GAMALIEL LEDDA JR., Maximum Security Compound, New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City