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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC asked to amend provision on lawyers' code allowing PAO to represent opposing parties in court cases

SC asked to amend provision on lawyers' code allowing PAO to represent opposing parties in court cases

Published Apr 20, 2023 08:36 am
The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Thursday, April 20, asked the Supreme Court (SC) to amend a provision in the recently launched Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) that allows PAO lawyers to represent opposing parties in a court case. PAO Chief Persida V. Rueda Acosta said her office has sent its letter to the SC and copies will also be forwarded to the Office of the President and to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla. The SC launched last April 13 the CPRA which updated the 34-year-old Code of Professional Responsibility for the country’s lawyers. Being opposed by PAO is Section 21, Canon III of CPRA which states: “A conflict of interest of any of the lawyers of the Public Attorney’s Office incident to services rendered for the Office shall be imputed only to the said lawyer and the lawyer’s direct supervisor. Such conflict of interest shall not disqualify the rest of the lawyers from the Public Attorney’s Office from representing the affected client, upon full disclosure to the latter and written informed consent.” Acosta said that PAO cannot provide two lawyers who will argue with each other in a court case.  “I hope the SC justices would listen to us,” she said. At the moment, Acosta lamented that the PAO could barely provide a ratio of one PAO lawyer for every court. Aside from affecting the trust of PAO clients, Acosta admitted: “Ayaw ko makita ang mga anak ko nag-aaway away sa harap ko (I don’t want to see my children fight each other before me).” “Masakit ‘yun e (That’s painful),” she stressed. She said, however, that PAO lawyers could represent opposing parties during mediation. “‘Pag wala pang cases sa court pwede. Pero ‘pag nasa court na mahirap na (We can do that when the case is not yet before the court. But once a case is within the jurisdiction of court it will be difficult),” she explained. Sought for his comment, Secretary Remulla said he will discuss the issue with Acosta. “Gagawa lang kami ng parameters na pag-uusapan para maging malinaw lahat (We will establish parameters for discussion so everything will be clear),” Remulla said.
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