The Manila Times

CFO, PAO to assist Filipino victims of human trafficking

THE Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) have forged an alliance primarily aimed at extending free legal services to Filipino migrants who can be victims or suspected victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment, among others. CFO Secretary Dante Ang II and PAO Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta hailed the initiative on Sunday as they signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the latter’s central office in Quezon City. Ang cited the significance of his agency’s partnership with PAO, noting that Filipino migrants face various migration problems and concerns, including inter-country marriages that require legal representation, assistance, and counseling. Under the Office of the President, the CFO will promote and uphold the interests, rights, and welfare of overseas Filipinos, as well as strengthen their ties with the Philippines, Ang said. Ang and Rueda-Acosta said the collaboration between the two government agencies would institutionalize their cooperative efforts, utilizing resources and capacities to assist the families of Filipino migrants through free legal services. Under the MOU, Ang said the CFO would refer to PAO for appropriate legal assistance and/or representation, the victims or suspected victims of human trafficking referred by or received through the 1343 Actionline, and such other clients seeking legal assistance through other CFO channels. The cases the CFO might refer to PAO include trafficking in persons, illegal recruitment, violation of the Anti-Mail Order Spouse Act, violence against women and children, among others. Janet Ramos, CFO-Emigrant Services chief officer, said the CFO is expected to assist PAO with the proper case build-up of referred cases and to promote PAO’s projects and initiatives “whenever applicable and appropriate.” For its part, PAO, which is mandated to be the principal law office of the government in extending free legal assistance to indigent persons, would make court appearances or representations for cases involving Filipino migrant clients referred by the commission, Deputy Chief Ana Lisa Soriano said. “In instances where the client does not meet the qualifications for legal representation, PAO shall endeavor to provide initial legal advice,” Soriano said. Rueda-Acosta said the MOU could extend to providing resource persons to discuss relevant laws and legal processes during training sessions, seminars, orientations, consultations, and other relevant activities that the CFO may organize. Ramos and Soriano have been designated as focal persons to facilitate the MOU's implementation. Ang reiterated that the CFO, under an executive order, is mandated to provide public assistance, information, and welfare support services to Filipino emigrants and other categories of migrating Filipinos. A permanent member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat), Ang said the CFO is required by law to coordinate and monitor the implementation of Republic Act 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. Meanwhile, the chief public attorney explained that PAO “exists to provide indigent litigants, the oppressed, marginalized, and underprivileged members of society free access to courts, judicial, and quasi-judicial agencies, by rendering legal services, counseling, and assistance.”