COA forms new office to help in graft cases

The Commission on Audit. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Audit (COA) has created a new office, 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.

“In the performance of [COA’s] mandate, various irregularities are uncovered that warrant the filing of criminal, civil or administrative complaints against erring public officers and private individuals involved,” said Resolution No. 2014-004 which created the PLO on Feb. 14.

The resolution said there was a need for an office in the COA specifically tasked to assist in the prosecution and litigation of cases, those initiated by the COA against public officers and private individuals, and 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 COA,” the resolution said.

The PLO will be composed of 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.—Cynthia D. Balana