Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta on Monday, July 19, warned the public not to fall prey to latest text scams which have been using her name and that of Senator Emmanuel “Manny” V. Pacquiao.
Acosta said the text messages tell prospective victims that they won P400,000 from Pacquiao and they only need to send their names, age, address, and nature of work.
“Ipinapaalam po sa publiko na ang ating Punong Manananggol Pambayan ay hindi kailanman nagpapadala at magpapadala ng ganitong uri ng mensahe sa kahit kanino (The public is informed that the chief public defender has never sent and will never send these messages,” PAO said in a statement.
“Siya po ay pinuno ng isang ahensya ng pamahalaan at nagsisilbi sa taong bayan at hind para kahit kanino (Acosta heads a government agency that serves the public and not for anyone),” it said.
“Sa mga gumagamit po ng pangalan niya at nagpapanggap na siya, tigilan po ninyo ang ganitong klase ng panloloko dahil mananagot po kayo, una sa Diyos at sa batas kapag kayo ay nahuli (Those who have been using Acosta’s name and posing as her, you should stop because you will be held accountable first by God and then the law when you get caught),” PAO warned.