THE Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) has sent at least eight public attorneys to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to help the latter fast-track its on-going investigation on alleged flood control corruption scandal.
PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta confirmed with Good Riddance that her agency has immediately responded to the call of ICI Chairman ex-justice Andres Reyes Jr. as “ it (PAO) recognizes the urgency and importance of the ICI’s mandate to promote transparency, accountability, and integrity in infrastructure development.”
“It’s also closely aligned with PAO’s unwavering commitment to justice and the protection of the public interest,” the chief public attorney said.
To be led by lawyer Nazario Bancoro Jr., the other PAO members were lawyers Demiteer Huerta, who would serve as assistant team leader; and Jose Noel Hilario; Marlowe Doms Tajon; Jan Karlo S. Lopez; Jeffrey Hilario; Lourdes Sorreta; and Jamor Tremor.
Deputy Chief Public Attorney Ana Lisa Soriano said the eight PAO lawyers have been directed to render services at ICI from Tuesday to Friday each week for a period of six months starting October 14, 2025.
However, in order to enable them to attend to their pending caseloads, including the preparation, finalization, and filing of pleadings, annexes/exhibits, and other pertinent documentation, they shall report to PAO central office every Monday.
“We trust that this arrangement will not only address your commission’s immediate need for legal expertise but also contribute meaningfully to the effective discharge of its investigatory and administrative functions, especially during this formative period,” Soriano said in her reply to a letter of Reyes.
Soriano said PAO wanted to send more, however, it couldn’t do so as it continues to face significant resource constraints, particularly in terms of personnel.
“Our office has consistently endeavored to respond to the ever-increasing demand for legal services nationwide, even as we await the approval of additional plantilla positions and budgetary support to address these growing needs.”
To date, no new plantilla positions for non-lawyer personnel have been created in our office, which poses additional challenges to our daily operations.
“Notwithstanding these limitations, we assure you of our unwavering support and readiness to assist in any way we can,” Soriano added.
Reyes, in his letter to Rueda-Acosta, said that in view of the gravity of the national issue involved the “knowledge and expertise of any PAO member is indispensable to the matters under investigation by the commission.”
