34 Legal Aid Services any of the aforementioned bodies. 2. Legal Representation in courts, quasijudicial bodies, and administrative bodies. This requires a directive or an order authorizing a lawyer of the Commission to represent or appear for and in behalf of the client before any of the aforementioned bodies. The directive or order may be in the form of a Resolution or a Memorandum and must be signed by the following CHR officials: a. Regional Director of the CHR Regional Office, if the forum is situated within the region where the case is heard; b. The Focal Commissioner for LIO, WHRC or AVO, as the case may be, or the Chairperson, or any Commissioners, in the absence of the concerned focal commissioner, with endorsement from the LIO Director. 3. Assist in the filing of cases, to include special legal remedies (e.g. Writ of amparo, Habeas Corpus) against individuals, agencies, institutions, or establishments that violate women’s rights. 4. Assist in securing a protection order from the concerned barangay or court. This includes drafting the petition or filing the application for the issuance of the protection order, or assisting the victim or victim’s family in filing the petition with the barangay for the issuance of a Barangay Protection Order (BPO), or with the court for a Temporary Protection Order (TPO)/Permanent Protection Order (PPO), as applicable. 5. Endorse or refer a case to appropriate government agencies, local government units, organizations, institutions having primary jurisdiction over the case. This includes drafting the referral or endorsement letter for the victim. As the circumstances require, the Commission shall, in coordination with appropriate agencies, organizations or institutions, ensure that adequate security and protection measures are in place for the women victim-survivors, the victim’s family, and vital witnesses. Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances (WEDC) 61shall be immediately referred to the local government units or government agencies mandated to deliver necessary support services and interventions to WEDC, such as temporary and protective custody, medical and dental services, psychological evaluation, counseling , psychiatric evaluation, legal services, productivity skills capability building, livelihood assistance, job placement, financial assistance and transportation assistance. In instances where it is apparent during preliminary evaluation that the matter does not involve human rights violations or issues involving women, the CHR lawyer, with the approval of the Regional Director (if the case was filed in the Regional Office) or any of the Directors of LIO, AVO and WHRC (if filed with the Central office), as the case may be, shall close the case and immediately refer it to the government agency or other concerned entity having primary jurisdiction or responsibility over the subject matter for appropriate action, with notice to the complainant or aggrieved party. Officers responsible for legal aid services Legal aid services shall be provided by lawyers from the Legal Division of the Regional Offices within their areas of responsibility. However, the Chairperson or any Member of the Commission, if necessary, may designate a lawyer from the Central Office or other Regional Offices to handle a case outside the area of responsibility. At the Central Office, lawyers from the Legal and Investigation Office (LIO), the Women’s Human Rights Center (WHRC), and the Assistance and Visitorial Office (AVO) may opt to provide legal services within their respective areas of expertise. Otherwise, they shall refer the case to the concerned Regional Office. Legal aid services may be rendered by lawyers from a Regional Office or Central Office, even if it is evident that the case falls within the area of responsibility of another Regional Office. However, 61 Sec. 30 of RA 9710 defines WEDC as victims and survivors of sexual and physical abuse, illegal recruitment, prostitution, trafficking, armed conflict, women in detention victims and survivors of rape and incest, and such other related circumstances which have incapacitated them functionally. CHR Gender Ombud Guidelines