You are on page 1of 3

Weekly Accomplishment Report

1. Student Name and Section: Tenorio, April Grace M.


2. Organization/ Company Name: Public Attorney’s Office
3. Department/ Section Assignment: Marikina District
4. Address: 2nd Floor, New Justice Hall Sta. Elena, Marikina City / 2nd Floor Marikina
Hotel, Pio Del Pilar cor. Tangerine St., SSS Village, Marikina City
5. Practicum Period Coverage: 120 hours
6. OJT Duration: June 19- July 21 2017

First Week
June 19- 23

As interns in the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Marikina District, we assume on


a daily basis three different tasks namely, (1) stay in the receiving area and entertain clients
before we assist them to our Officer of the Day (ODI). Primordially, we have to ask the
new clients whether they have Certificate of Indigency from their respective Barangays
since PAO only caters clients who cannot afford a private lawyer of their own with the
exception to PWD’s, Senior Citizen and VAWC cases. Secondly, as we entertain the
clients, we already identify the issues based on their concerns so that at the time we refer
them to the ODI, we can reiterate to the lawyer what the client’s basic concern (2) help our
Paralegals in making affidavits, motions and petitions. Since the motions such as Motion
for Reduction of Bail or Motion to set case for hearing are just pro forma, we just use such
drafts already saved in the computer and submit it afterwards to the lawyer assigned for
checking (3) report to our immediate supervisor and research for jurisprudence for cases
assigned to them as an additional basis in their pleadings.

Second Week
June 26-30

On our second week of internship, we were able to attend several hearings of our
PAO lawyers. Our PAO lawyers are kind enough to remind us on their scheduled hearings.
We are advised on what to expect thereto. Most of the time, the hearings are just resetting
to a later date but sometimes we are lucky enough to witness the arraignment of an accused,

1|Page
pre-trial or even the trial proper. There was a time when we almost appeared on behalf of
the defense lawyer to cross examine a witness unfortunately, the case was reset because of
the absence of the complainant. Nonetheless, our observation played a big role in
understanding of the court processes and the demeanor of the lawyers inside the court
room.

Back in the office, during inquest proceedings, we assist the detainees before they
undergo the inquest proceedings proper before the Fiscal’s office. The detainees are
brought to PAO to inform them of their duly accorded rights under the law. The goal is to
enlighten them as to their choice on whether they should go in for an inquest proceeding
or preliminary investigation. The detainees are likewise being informed of the
consequences in their choice since a preliminary takes 15 days, longer than inquest
proceedings which usually come about within the day furthermore, the latter choice may
be applicable only if the detainee has a lawful defense that may be alleged during the
investigation.

Third Week
July 3-July 7

Since the PAO Marikina is about to transfer to the office, the reason being that, the
Bulwagan ng Katarungan where PAO Marikina’s office is used to be located is scheduled
to be renovated, we helped our PAO lawyers to pack their things and transfer some of them
in their new office. It took us two days to arrange and fix the office before we resume to
our regular operations.

During the course of our internship we were able to apply the learnings we earned
from the three years that we have stayed in UST Faculty of Civil Law. We give legal advice
and/or answer the queries of our clients which were answerable by simple application of
the law. To wit, some clients asks us how to recover sum of money they lent to their
respective borrowers. Where the sum do not exceed 200,000.00 pesos, we refer them to
MTC-OCC since small claims court has the jurisdiction over the case and they no longer
need the assistance of a lawyer since according to the rules, lawyers are not allowed to
appear in behalf of or represent a party during small claims.

2|Page
Fourth and Fifth Week
July 10-14 and July 17-21

On my last and extended week as intern, I simply continue doing our respective
tasks as a legal intern. We were still allowed to attend and observe court hearings. We are
further trained to draft counter-affidavits, affidavits, motions¸ mediation conference,
complaint affidavit and other usual documents prepared by a public attorney. Moreover,
we observe mediation conference being undertaken in the office of PAO. From there, we
learned that aside from being the defender of the public, a lawyer’s job is also to balance
the interest of the complainant and respondent and maintain harmonious relationship in
the community amidst such adverse interests. It is important that even in the earliest
opportunity time, the parties already have a conciliation to avoid further litigations in the
court. Indeed, it is one of the essential roles that a lawyer must fulfill, to be mediator for
concord and not on the contrary an instigator of controversy.

Lastly, we assisted lawyers during jail visit in order for them to make more
comprehensive judicial affidavit on behalf of their clients. PAO lawyers sees to it that their
clients understand well the judicial affidavit they made before it is submitted to the Court.
From our jail visit, we experienced to have first contact with PAO clients. We observed
how our lawyers ask questions and communicate with their clients and how to treat clients
professionally even if sometimes the latter won’t take them seriously.

Prepared by:

_____________________
Tenorio, April Grace M.
Student

Noted by:

________________________
Atty. Rodaflor B. Larracas
Distict Head PAO Marikina

3|Page

You might also like