Rappler's latest stories on PAO
IN NUMBERS: Public Attorney's Office under Acosta
From 2017 to 2018, the number of PAO clients convicted of a lesser offense increases threefold. PAO counts that as an accomplishment.
Legality of PAO forensic laboratory questioned once again
Ex-DOH chief turned Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin, who has an axe to grind against the Public Attorney's Office, says it does not have the mandate to have a forensic laboratory

PAO paid P4.8M for building plan and design without complete docs – COA
Despite the two agencies submitting only 2 out of 16 required documents PAO pays the NHA and DPWH for a design and planning contract
Dengvaxia death? Parents sue Duque for obstruction of justice
The parents say the release of documents could have prevented their daughter's death

Dengvaxia victims' kin file complaint vs DOH, Sanofi, Zuellig execs
The respondents are accused of 'intentionally inoculating the Dengvaxia recipients with an unsafe product undergoing clinical trial, which caused [their]...untimely death'

House opposition to Duterte: Order Acosta to ‘stop pseudo-forensic intervention’
The PAO chief had refused to accede to a UP-PGH's panel's request for access to the tissue samples of Dengvaxia-vaccinated children who died
Congressman tells Acosta: ‘Don’t be combative,’ cooperate with DOH
Representative Johnny Pimentel reminds Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Acosta that PAO should be coordinating with the DOH in investigating Dengvaxia deaths

Aquino says unqualified 'experts' politicized Dengvaxia probe
At the House hearing, the former president once more defends his administration's decision to implement an unprogrammed dengue vaccination campaign

[OPINION] Circling the wagons: The 'Doctors for Truth' and the Dengvaxia scandal
The distrust of experts stems from the fact that in the case of Dengvaxia, the experts have so spectacularly failed the people on a matter of public trust

Gordon advises PAO chief: ‘Don’t be too noisy’
Senator Richard Gordon gives the tip to Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Acosta, who he says is 'doing well' in handling the investigation of the Dengvaxia-linked deaths

Senate blue ribbon to summon PAO's Acosta, Erfe to Dengvaxia probe
Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito questions why the Public Attorney's Office refuses to cooperate with medical experts from the UP-PGH

Expert warns vs wild claims linked to Dengvaxia
The Public Attorney's Office files a civil case demanding damages amounting to P4 million against former health officials, along with officials of Sanofi Pasteur and distributor Zuellig Pharma
Sison on NPA, Doctors’ group on Dengvaxia, Democrats on Trump | Midday wRap
Watch the midday newscast with Marguerite de Leon

'Stop PAO autopsies on suspected Dengvaxia victims'
Ex-DOH chief Esperanza Cabral and other doctors urge the DOJ to stop PAO's autopsies on 14 children who supposedly died due to Dengvaxia

Malacañang backs UP-PGH findings on Dengvaxia
'Mukha namang makakahinga na tayo nang mas mabuti, mga nanay at tatay,' says Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

DOH considers UP-PGH findings as primary 'evidence’ on Dengvaxia
The DOH is willing to share the UP-PGH's findings to the Public Attorney's Office, which is conducting its own exhumation and forensic examination of other children vaccinated with Dengvaxia

Sotto to Duque: DOH, not PAO, should take lead in Dengvaxia probe
'Is PAO now a medical group?...Set your foot down and make the DOH the lead in this investigation, especially in scientific investigations,' Senator Vicente Sotto III tells Health Secretary Francisco Duque III

Nazareno 2018, PAO probes Dengvaxia death, U.S. on Salvadoran immigrants | Midday wRap
Watch the midday newscast with Mara Cepeda

PAO insists on examining Dengvaxia deaths without UP-PGH experts
PAO and VACC set up a Help Desk for families who seek legal assistance

Aguirre orders PAO to assist families of Dengvaxia vaccine recipients
Parents of two girls who died months after getting the dengue vaccine file affidavits before the Department of Justice

CHR cases can be handled by PAO, says Alvarez
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez defends allotting only P1,000 for the Commission on Human Rights for 2018, saying the Public Attorney's Office has the budget anyway

PAO wants to include in Kian case all cops involved in Caloocan raid
PAO chief Persida Acosta says she s confident they have an airtight complaint in the Kian complaint
Double murder complaint vs cops, taxi driver in Carl Arnaiz, Kulot killings
UPDATED The Public Attorney s Office assist the families of Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman in filing the complaint before the Department of Justice

PAO contradicts PNP, insists dead boy in Nueva Ecija is Reynaldo de Guzman
Somebody is trying to muddle the investigation says Public Attorneys Office chief Persida Acosta
PAO eyes double murder in Carl Arnaiz, Reynaldo De Guzman killings
De Guzman s family is also given provisional coverage of the witness protection program
Crime scene where Carl Arnaiz was killed 'staged' – PAO
PAO Forensic Lab Director Erwin Erfe says there are no bullet marks in the crime scene to prove that a shootout happened No slugs were found either

Dela Rosa cries again in Senate hearing, insists 'no policy to kill'
Public Attorney s Office chief Persida Acosta also sheds tears as she defends the police from allegations of state sanctioned killings

Carl Arnaiz tested positive for gunpowder – PNP
UPDATED Senators ask authorities about the death of Carl Arnaiz at the Senate probe into the killing of another teenager Kian delos Santos

Kian and Carl: What the deaths of two boys have in common
(UPDATED) Kian delos Santos, 17, and Carl Arnaiz, 19 – handcuffed, kneeling – were killed by Caloocan policemen two days apart

IBP files complaint vs cops in Kian delos Santos slay
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines cites eyewitness accounts including a 13 year old s testimony that the cops blindfolded and punched Kian delos Santos before he was shot dead
Carl Arnaiz handcuffed, beaten up, killed – PAO autopsy
Findings of the Public Attorney s Office show the 19 year old was kneeling when initially shot then killed with more shots after he was lying on the ground
DOJ urged to turn over Kian case to Ombudsman
Hontiveros says the DOJ s independence is tainted by the statement of Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II that the teenager s murder was just blown out of proportion
Jolina, Kian delos Santos, Samsung heir | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Mara Cepeda

Murder, torture complaints filed vs cops in Kian delos Santos case
Senator Risa Hontiveros urges Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to inhibit himself from all investigations related to the case

PAO wants to take Kian witnesses from Hontiveros
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II also says the credibility of the witnesses will be affected because Hontiveros is a vocal Duterte critic
Hontiveros: DOJ, PAO motives for custody of Kian slay witnesses questionable
Mukhang may mga puwersang gumagalaw para kunin ang mga testigo i undermine ang kaso at limitahan ang accountability sa panig lamang ng mga pulis Senator Hontiveros says

PNP autopsy, impeachment complaint, Trump | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Mara Cepeda

'Nakaluhod tapos nasubsob': How Kian was shot, according to PAO
Bullet trajectory and entry wounds point to murder says Public Attorney s Office chief Persida Acosta
2 shots in the ears, 1 in the back killed Kian – PAO autopsy
One of Kian s 3 fatal wounds is a treacherous wound PAO Chief Acosta says
Aquino on Duterte, Kian delos Santos, Isang | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Acor Arceo

Thai junta mulls powers to access private cyber data
The bill is proposed after the massive WannaCry cyberattack sparked havoc in computer systems worldwide but it is controversial because Thailand adopted cyber laws used as a cudgel against government critics

DOJ probe into Jee Ick Joo slay: Who pays for photocopies?
The public lawyer of prime suspect SPO3 Ricky Sta Isabel – who reportedly owns at least 5 houses and lots and a 4 story commercial building – says his office cannot afford to photocopy his client s counter affidavit

Retired PAO lawyers win P139-M benefits claim
The PAO retirees however will not be paid moral and exemplary damages
PAO lawyer dismissed for charging clients legal fees
Lawyer Jennifer Garcia Laudencia of the Public Attorney s Office in San Jose Occidental Mindoro is found guilty of grave misconduct

#PugadBaboy: Watch your (sign) language

Marcelino asks court for 'second hard look' at plea vs drug charges
The former drug enforcement agent and his Chinese co accused urge the Manila RTC to lift the issuance of arrest warrants against them

Persida Acosta and a justice’s cogitations
Let s continue asking candidates for the Supreme Court really tough questions

PAO chief too close to exec branch? 'I have shown my independence'
Chief public attorney Persida Acosta says she has shown her independence while serving under 3 presidents

Public Attorney's Office to SC: Allow drug suspects to enter plea deals
PAO chief Persida Acosta questions why violators of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are treated differently from suspects in murder rape and carnapping cases

How the Public Attorney's Office fits in the war against drugs
For those voluntarily surrendering to police or seeking to clear their name in the war against drugs the Public Attorney s Office serves to ensure their legal rights are respected
