SPEECH OF CABINET SECRETARY KARLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALES

RANK and File employees of PAO, our dear Public Attorneys — defenders of the country’s poor and the marginalized in society —

National Convention.” But while I am grateful for the honor and privilege of this recognition, I believe it must be stressed that those who truly deserve to be awarded every day are the underpaid, overworked, and often underappreciated Rank and File employees who have chosen to use their education, their skills, and their knowledge of the law to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

It was President Ramon Magsaysay Sr. who said that “he who has less in life should have more in law.”

Yet, getting more in law will never be just a matter of the government providing the poor access to legal representation and counsel. In a larger, more developmental sense, it is about creating a government that elevates the welfare, condition, and aspirations for the future of the poor in our midst. A policy environment that gravitates toward laws and

chance not only in importantly, in life.

The Philippine Development Plan for 2017-2022 of the Duterte Administration envisions a future where “every Filipino enjoys a

law, but more A life that is stable, comfortable and secure for every citizen.

And this is achievable if we are able to lay down the foundation for inclusive growth, a high- trust and resilient society and a globallycompetitive knowledge economy by 2022.

That is why of the over 500 bills I have authored in Congress, a considerable number of them are dedicated to introducing reforms in sectors that need the support of government the most.

An example is House Bill 01352 in 2016, which seeks to “protect the welfare of informal workers in all economic units in private and public by transitioning them to formal employment and providing support to micro, small and medium sized enterprises toward decent and productive employment.”

Another is House Bill 00732, the goals of which are to protect the rights of internally displaced persons and to penalize acts of arbitrary displacement. To help give our country’s youth a better chance to pursue their dreams, I likewise co- authored the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which provides free tuition for the students enrolled in our state universities and college.

Today in my new role as Cabinet Secretary, I work hand- in- hand with my colleagues in the Cabinet fo ensure that the programs, policies and plans of the Duterte administration serve the interests of the poor and powerless. These include efforts to promote the welfare of land reform beneficiaries, farmers, rebel returnees and the victims of natural disasters, as well as prioritizing food security and water security particularly the marginalized sectors.

This applies when it comes to our criminal justice system; the needy require someone to stand by them, and that is the role that PAOs play.

It was also President Magsaysay who said that “the little man is fundamentally entitled to a little bit more food in his stomach, a little more cloth on his back, and a little more roof over his head.”

I believe that the less fortunate among our people are entitled to a little bit more than that. In our age, the little man should get a little bit more of information, of education, of a chance to prove his worth as a stakeholder in nation- building. The little man should be able to lift himself up in our time, to be bigger and better than he used to be. Big enough to be able to defend himself.

This, I believe, is the essence of governance — that the governed, ultimately, would be able to look after themselves. To feed themselves and their family. To know and enjoy their inalienable rights as citizens of the land. To be able to dream and act on those dreams. To be able to tell themselves: “We are not small anymore. Therefore, we will matter to our country and make a difference for those left behind, like we were before”.

The PAO, in making itself available to the displaced, abused, and marginalized, is in fact, not only defending the defenseless — it is empowering the weak and telling them: “Your government is here with you, and will always be with you to lift you up until you can stand on your own two feet. And when that time comes, try and give back to your country — to your family, to your community, to society.” law students we spent nights pouring over tons of books and legal documents. More sleepless nights preparing for the Bar exams.

pleadings; readings,

At the end of each tiring day, you probably ask yourself, “why am I doing this?”

Allow me to answer that for you.

Brave and tireless men and women of the Public Attorneys Office, I salute you and thank you all for the service you render the Filipino nation;