Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta has been awarded the Tambuli Award by Toastmasters International, an international nonprofit educational organization. The award recognizes Rueda-Acosta’s contribution to championing the cause of the poor and indigents in achieving truth, justice, and peace. Veronica Villadolid, Toastmasters International District 75 Division K Director, commended Rueda-Acosta as an epitome of effective communication and leadership in her field of expertise as Chief Public Attorney in the Philippines. Rueda-Acosta is the first non-Toastmaster to receive the Tambuli Award.
Toastmasters International promotes communication, public speaking, and leadership and has over 364,000 members from more than 16,200 clubs in 145 countries, including the Philippines. The award was conferred during the Kaleidoscope Speech Contest where Rueda-Acosta was the keynote speaker. She is a recipient of numerous awards, including The Outstanding Filipino (Tofil) 2022 and the Leadership Achievement in Public Service Hall of Fame by the Elite Awards.
Acosta expressed that the award has inspired her and her agency to provide more free legal assistance to indigents and underprivileged individuals. As the Chief Public Attorney, she is known for her advocacy to help the marginalized sector and for her public legal assistance services for those who cannot afford private lawyers. She has also been actively involved in the Dengvaxia case, where she represents the parents of children who died allegedly due to vaccine-related complications.
In conclusion, Toastmasters International has recognized Rueda-Acosta for her contribution to the marginalized sector through her legal assistance services. The award has motivated her to continue providing free legal assistance to underserved communities in the Philippines. Toastmasters International is a global organization that promotes communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.
