Section 6March 23, 2007, Sec./Art. 6

New sections are hereby inserted in Chapter 5, Title III, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292, to read as follows:

"SEC. 16-A. Appointment. - The Chief Public Attorney and the Deputy Chief Public Attorneys shall be appointed by the President. The Deputy Chief Public Attorneys and Regional Public Attorneys shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Chief Public Attorney.

The Chief Public Attorney, Deputy Chief Public Attorneys and Regional Public Attorneys shall not be removed or suspended, except for cause provided by law; Provided, That the Deputy Chief Public Attorneys, the Regional Public Attorneys and The Assistant Regional Public Attorneys, the Provincial Public Attorneys, the City Public Attorneys and Municipal District Public Attorney shall preferably have served as Public Attorneys for at least five (5) years immediately prior to their appointment as such. The administrative and support personnel and other lawyers in the Public Attorneys Office shall be appointed by the Chief Public Attorney, in accordance with civil service laws, rules, and regulations."

"SEC. 16-B. Vacancy. - In case of death, permanent incapacity, removal or registration of the incumbent Chief Public Attorney, Deputy Chief Public Attorneys or Regional Public Attorneys or vacancy thereof, the President shall appoint a new Chief, Deputy Chief or Regional Public Attorney or shall designate one, as the case may be, in an acting capacity until a new one shall have been appointed.

"In case of temporary absence of the Chief Public Attorney, the latter may designate an Officer-in-Charge to be a caretaker of the Office."

"SEC. 16-C. Incumbent Officials and Personnel. - The incumbent officials and personnel of the Public Attorney's Office shall continue holding his/her position without the needs of new appointment."

"SEC. 16-D. Exemption from Fees and Costs of the Suit. - The clients of the PAO shall exempt from payment of docket and other fees incidental to instituting an action in court and other quasi-judicial bodies, as an original proceeding or on appeal.

"The costs of the suit, attorney's fees and contingent fees imposed upon the adversary of the PAO clients after a successful litigation shall be deposited in the National Treasury as trust fund and shall be disbursed for special allowances of authorized officials and lawyers of the PAO."

"SEC. 16-E. Local Government Support. - Local government units, subject to their capabilities, are authorized to extend financial and other support in the form of honoraria, free office space, equipment, furniture, stationery, and manpower to the PAO."

"SEC. 16-F. Franking Privilege. - The PAO may transmit through ordinary mail and/or registered mail with return card, free of charge, all official communications and papers directly connected with the conduct of its duties, function and/or its exercise of administrative supervision over its personnel.

"The envelope or wrapper of the privileged mail matter shall bear on the left upper corner 'Public Attorney's Office' together with its address and on the right upper corner, the word 'Private or unauthorized use to avoid payment of postage is penalized by fine or imprisonment or both.'"