PAO to court: Public lawyers can't serve opposing parties

THE Public Attorney's Office (PAO) has raised its objection to at least two provisions under the Supreme Court's proposed Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, saying the agency and its public lawyers would be directly affected.

In a letter to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, a copy of which was obtained by The Manila Times, PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta described as detrimental Section 21, Canon III of the proposed "New Code" that allows public attorneys of one district office to go against public attorneys of another district or regional office.