PAO: We are compelled by law to represent Napoles

Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) will have to represent alleged “pork barrel” scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles in Senate even if it is against their wishes, PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said on Wednesday.

Acosta, in an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM, said the state law agency was required to provide Napoles with legal assistance when she testifies at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) Thursday.

“Although we do not want to… she (Napoles) wrote asking for the hearing to be postponed because she does not have an available lawyer,” Acosta said.

“The Senate blue ribbon committee talked to me. They emailed that they required and were requesting that we send a lawyer to assist Ms. Janet Napoles,” she added.

Acosta explained that the PAO is tasked to provide lawyers for any person, facing a case or investigation in court and quasi-judicial bodies, without one. She added that the Senate blue ribbon committee is a quasi-judicial body and that they are required to assist even people who are not indigents.

She pointed out that under Republic Act 9406 or PAO law, “in the exigency of service, the PAO may be called upon by government authorities to render such services to other persons.”

Acosta earlier said that she will send senior PAO lawyers Howard Areza, Marlon Buan, and Analisa Soriano to represent Napoles on Thursday. The three, who are also PAO officers, were chosen because they did not have any court assignments at the moment, in addition to their experience.

Read: Senior PAO lawyers to represent Napoles at Senate hearing

The announcement was met with mixed reactions, with some questioning PAO’s decision to assist Napoles, who is not an indigent and who has been highly criticized by the public.

The PAO chief admitted that it would be difficult for them to take on the case.

“It is difficult because there are a lot of people involved, influential people. And you know that the issue pains a lot of us because we are tax payers,” she said.

But Acosta said lawyers may not always follow their personal beliefs.

“Your duty…is with the law. Because you are a lawyer you have to follow that,” she said.

Acosta recalled the time when she was among the appointed lawyers of former President and Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

She assured the public that they will be objective in the handling of the case and will immediately withdraw once Napoles’ private lawyers show up.

“We will treat her as an ordinary accused, ordinary suspect or ordinary person under investigation. Our goal is to uphold her constitutional rights and her human rights,” Acosta said.

She also said it would be wrong to send an inexperienced lawyer, as suggested by some, because PAO is known for its quality legal services.

“PAO will perform its task by giving its best. Be assured that we will be fair and will follow the law,” she said.

Acosta also pointed out that the PAO earlier helped Dominga Cadelina who was accused of stealing underwear and bags from Napoles who was her former employer. She said she personally oversaw the case which was eventually dismissed by the court.

Read: Court frees detained Napoles housemaid

Asked how their lawyers would handle questions from the Senators, Acosta said it would depend on the question and the situation.

“If it is incriminatory, the lawyer will say that she shall be invoking the right to remain silent. But if it is not incriminatory she can answer. Who are your friends? Who do you know. It will depend on the question and its legal basis,” she said.

Acosta said Napoles may say that she does not want PAO to represent her but she must follow the Senate’s orders.

“Abangan na lang po,” she said.

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