DOJ impartiality now doubtful

Whether or not Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta is ousted, one thing is for certain – the impartiality of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is now HIGHLY DOUBTFUL.

Acosta has headed the PAO since 2001. So it was SHOCKING, to put it mildly, why her eligibility for the post is suddenly being questioned.

At a time when she is ALL-OUT in assisting Lauro Vizconde in seeking for the reversal of the acquittal of Hubert Webb and company for the slaughter of her family.

Consider this, guys:

PAO is an attached agency of the DOJ.

It is BASIC for any incoming boss like Justice Sec. Leila de Lima to immediately check on the personnel files of his or her staff, especially the department heads, to ensure their qualification for the job.

Since she assumed office in July, De Lima NEVER RAISED DOUBTS publicly on the legality of Acosta’s position. But in a legal opinion dated Jan. 3, the DOJ suddenly said Acosta’s appointment and those of her deputies “are without merit.”

It would be DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE that an opinion as sensitive as that came out without De Lima’s approval.

Now, in a phone interview with the Philippine Star yesterday, De Lima says the Career Executive Service (CES) Board and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) have conflicting positions on the issue, and that she wants something written from both parties for her guidance.

Kumbaga, SINITENSYAHAN muna si Acosta noong Jan. 3 bago biglang sinabi kahapon na ‘teka muna, lilinawin muna nating mabuti, baka naman hindi.’

Anyway you look at it, this is GROSSLY UNFAIR for Acosta.

I’M NOT DEFENDING Acosta, let that be for the record. If eventually she has to be ousted, then so be it.

But the least that De Lima and her minions could have done was to clarify first the conflicting stands of the CES and the CSC before saying that Acosta’s appointment was without merit.

A rather basic act of courtesy, if I may so.

Because one very crucial thing is starting to suffer, and will continue to suffer, until this controvery is over – THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH in the Vizconde massacre. 30