Senate postpones PAO budget hearing after chief Acosta's no-show

The Senate finance subpanel has postponed the budget hearing for the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) because its chief, Dr. Persida Acosta, was unable to attend.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who heads the finance panel, stated that the head of an office is required to personally present its budget, a long-standing Senate procedure.

Acosta had sent a letter explaining her absence due to official travel abroad.

Gatchalian emphasized that this requirement is strictly observed in the Senate, with many agency heads canceling trips to attend budget briefings personally.

The PAO is mandated to provide free legal services to indigent litigants and marginalized sectors of society, ensuring their access to justice as required by the Constitution.