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Palace: Let the law take its course amid corruption allegations against Acosta

Palace: Let the law take its course amid corruption allegations against Acosta

By Genalyn Kabiling Malacañang will let the law take its course amid reports the Office of the Ombudsman will conduct an investigation into the corruption allegations against Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta and forensics chief Erwin Erfe.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo (OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) "We will let the law take its course," Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said. "PRRD will not interfere with the work of the Ombudsman, as we have repeatedly stressed," he said. Ombudsman Samuel Martires recently announced that corruption allegations against high-ranking PAO officials will be judiciously scrutinized, adding that the cases will be resolved based on evidence presented by concerned parties. The Ombudsman inquiry stemmed from the graft complaint filed by Wilfredo Garrido Jr.against Acosta and Erfe over the alleged use of the Dengvaxia issue to justify higher office supply expenses. Earlier, the Palace said it's up to the Ombudsman do its job after a group of lawyers supposedly working for PAO complained about the alleged fund diversion by Acosta and Erfe. "Well if there is a case in the Ombudsman, then we’ll let the Ombudsman do its work," Panelo said. "As a matter of policy, the President does not interfere in the work/function/activity of any constitutional body or any branch of the government. Let the law takes its course," he said. READ MORE: PAO lawyers seek chief’s immediate preventive suspension

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