PAO needs 1,000 lawyers to ease load of clogged courts

The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) needs at least 1,000 more lawyers to help rid courts nationwide of the massive backlog of cases. In an article posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news site, PAO chief Persida Acosta said “We look forward to more lawyers under the leadership of President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III." Acosta said the hiring of 300 new lawyers, approved by the previous administration, may not be enough to fill the gap in the justice system because around 1,000 lawyers are needed for the clogged cases before different courts nationwide. Acosta said this in an interview with the CBCP at the sidelines of the Orientation Seminar and Year-end Management and Planning Conference on Monday. Restorative justice Meanwhile, Acosta said restorative justice was possible in the Philippines. Acosta said closer ties among law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary, corrections, and the community will be needed to make restorative justice work. Restorative justice (also called "reparative justice") is an approach to justice that focuses on the needs of victims and offenders instead of focusing on the need to exact punishment. The victims are given an active role in a dispute and the offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions by apologizing, returning stolen money, or doing community service. “Restorative justice will come to reality when everybody, the criminals and the victims’ nearest of kin would learn the true meaning of justice and love," she said. Acosta added that the PAO was responsible for the release of some 10,000 inmates who have been either acquitted by the courts, served their sentences, or have already reached the maximum age in detention. – VVP, GMANews.TV