Public Attorney's Office (Philippines)

The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) of the Philippines is the public defender for all courts in the Philippines. It also provides other legal services to the poor. According to its mission statement it exists to provide to the poor "free access to courts, judicial and quasi-judicial agencies, by rendering legal services, counselling(sic) and assistance..."

It is an attached agency of the Department of Justice. It is led by the Chief Public Attorney. Persida Acosta is the incumbent chief public attorney. She was appointed to the position on February 23, 2001 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, On April 2, 2024, Marcos Jr. appointed Erwin Erfe, head of PAO's Forensic Laboratory Division, as the new deputy chief public attorney of the PAO replacing Silvestre Mosing.