THE Office of the Ombudsman said it has launched a preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication against Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta and Dr. Erwin Erfe, chief of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Forensic Laboratory, over corruption allegations and the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine issue.
“The corruption allegations against the high-ranking PAO officials will be judiciously scrutinized and the cases shall be resolved solely on the basis of the evidence presented by the parties,” Ombudsman Samuel Martires said in a statement issued Friday, August 16, 2019.
The anti-graft office issued the statement a few hours after Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Acosta still enjoys the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Both Acosta and Erfe are already facing criminal charges for violation of Sections 3(e) and 3(j) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices), falsification by public officer, malversation and illegal use of public funds or property.
They are also facing administrative charges for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, grave abuse of authority and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
These charges were based on the complaints filed by Wilfredo Garrido, Jr., which were evaluated and docketed on April 11, 2019. These remain pending.
On August 8, 2019, the Office of the Ombudsman received a pleading entitled “Manifestation with Prayer for Public Respondents Immediate Preventive Suspension from Office.”
The pleading was signed by alleged “DOJ PAO lawyers.”
As of August 6, the parties were directed to file their respective verified position papers containing their positions, supporting evidence and defenses. (From PR/SunStar Philippines)