MANILA, Philippines ? Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez criticized a government lawyer for interfering in the police investigation of a murder involving a popular broadcast journalist.

Persida Acosta, chief of the Public Attorney's Office, whose essential job is to assist indigent litigants, helped Ted Failon in leaving the Quezon City police station in the midst of an investigation Thursday to visit his wife, Trinidad Etong, who at that time was in critical condition in the hospital after she was mysteriously shot Wednesday. (Trinidad died at 8:50 p.m. Thursday in the intensive care unit of New Era General Hospital in Quezon City.)

Gonzalez said Acosta was "crazy" after learning of Acosta's involvement. He called up the PAO head and ordered her to stop interfering in the police investigation and acting as Failon?s lawyer.

?They are not supposed to do that. It is not their mandate,? said Gonzalez of the PAO, which is under the supervision of the Department of Justice.

Acosta also appeared on Korina Sanchez?s morning talk show and fielded questions from listeners, defending Failon.

Failon is Sanchez?s partner in the hugely popular radio program.

The broadcaster could hardly be considered an indigent, said Gonzalez, who threatened to charge Acosta with an administrative violation.

?I have already called Acosta. She was trying to argue it was within her authority. I?m issuing a formal memo... she?s crazy!? Gonzalez said.

?She is trying to defend somebody not in her mandate. That is a conflict of interest. She told me she was already consulting with medico-legal experts. That?s none of her business,? he said.

Acosta said that if Failon had had a hand in the shooting, ?why would the in-laws be at the hospital supporting him??

?If there is no direct evidence, it would be unfair to arrest somebody whose spouse had [attempted] suicide,? she said.

5 a.m. call

Acosta said the PAO would be lending its services to Failon on a temporary basis.

She said she received a call from dzMM radio at 5 a.m. Thursday asking for assistance for Failon, and that she left Camp Karingal with him after asking for permission from the authorities.

?Maayos kaming nagpaalam, walang tumakas, walang manhunt para sa kanya (We sought permission, he did not escape, and there was no manhunt for him),? she said.