SC fines PAO chief P180,000 for contempt

The Supreme Court (SC) has slapped a fine of P180,000 on Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta over her statements against the "conflict of interest" provision in the new lawyers' code of conduct, citing her for indirect contempt and grossly undignified conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

- DAPHNE GALVEZ

According to the SC Public Information Office (PIO), the High Court found Acosta's statements and innuendos on her Facebook page "attributed ill intent and malice to the Court." The SC also found that Acosta "tried to sway public opinion to pressure the SC" against the said provision of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) when the PAO chief launched a public campaign against the provision and publicizing the contents of the PAO's letters to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo requesting the deletion of the same rule.

Under Section 22 of the CPRA, conflict of interest is only limited to any of the PAO lawyers and the lawyer's direct supervisor, allowing PAO lawyers to represent opposing parties.