On Feb. 14, 2014, the Commission on Audit (COA) created the Prosecution and Litigation Office (PLO) to provide legal representation for state auditors who are sued in court and to help government lawyers prosecute corruption cases before the courts.
The COA said there was a need for an office in the agency specifically tasked with extending help to the prosecution and litigation of cases, to those initiated by the COA against public officers and private individuals, and to cases involving audit actions.
“COA personnel are often subjected to suits or summoned as witnesses in court or any tribunal with no immediate financial or legal assistance from COA. There are special civil actions filed before the Supreme Court wherein the OSG (Office of the Solicitor General) declines to represent the COA,” the resolution said.
The PLO has 32 lawyers, including 12 prosecutors to handle criminal, civil and administrative cases, and six lawyers to defend auditors in lawsuits.
The pool of lawyers will be backed by six legal researchers and three administrative assistants. —Inquirer Research