THE CRIMINAL CASES REPRESENTED BY THE GENERAL SANTOS CITY DISTRICT OF PUBLIC ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FROM 2016 TO 2018

The study focused on learning the processes and effectiveness of legal aid for the poor and the indigents in General Santos City. The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) General Santos District serves as the government's agency that concentrates on providing legal assistance and legal aid to the city.

The researcher had gathered data from the archival documents and interviews from PAO and the Executive Clerk of Courts of Regional Trial Court (RTC) and Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCC). Survey and informal data were also gathered from the PAO's clientele and court middle-level officials.

The study presented the different guidelines and procedures of accepting criminal cases of PAO. Furthermore, it also discusses the proper handling of criminal cases by PAO and the number of cases held by its lawyers from 2016 to 2018. The effectiveness of PAO was also measured through two (2) surveys. The surveys were conducted to PAO's clientele and court middle-level officials.

The findings of the study revealed that PAO has followed the set guidelines and procedures in accepting criminal cases as prescribed by the Office's Operation Manual. The PAO General Santos District has also followed the proper guidelines in handling criminal cases despite of their overwhelming caseload from the year 2016 to 2018. Furthermore, the two (survey) presented that PAO General Santos District is very effective in providing legal assistance to the poor and indigent.