Authorizing The Designation Of Municipal Judges And Lawyers In Any Branch Of The Government Service To Act As Counsel De Oficio For The Accused Who Are Indigent In Places Where There Are No

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 543

Designation of Counsel de Oficio for Indigent Accused
- In places where there are no available practicing lawyers, the following provisions apply: (Section 1)
• The District Judge or Circuit Criminal Court Judge shall designate a municipal judge or a government lawyer within the province as counsel de oficio for an indigent person facing a criminal charge before the judge's court.
• The services of the counsel de oficio shall be compensated by the government in accordance with Section 32, Rule 138 of the Rules of Court.
• If the criminal case is pending before a City or Municipal Court, the judge shall recommend to the nearest District Judge the appointment of a counsel de oficio, and the District Judge shall appoint one.
• An indigent person is defined as anyone who has no visible means of support, or whose income does not exceed P300 per month, or whose income, even if exceeding P300, is insufficient for the subsistence of their family, as determined by the judge considering the number of family members dependent on the person. (Section 1)

Repealing Clause and Effectivity
• All laws and decrees inconsistent with this Decree are repealed. (Section 2)
• This Decree shall take effect immediately. (Section 3)