PAO lawyers accuse Acosta of using Dengvaxia cases to get 'Extra Funds'

(Illustration: Kenneth Choy)

Employees of the Public Attorneys Office have asked the Office of the Ombudsman to issue a preventive suspension order against PAO chief Persida Acosta and her forensics chief Dr. Erwin Erfe for alleged corruption in the agency.

Lawyer Wilfredo Garrido filed the manifestation for unnamed PAO staff members from the Executive Support Staff Field Operations and Statistics Office and Legal Research Service who are “privy to the daily activities and transactions” of Acosta and Erfe relating to the Dengvaxia vaccine.

It was alleged that Acosta has two “loyal” certified public accountants named Lira Hosea Suangco and Maveric Sales who are tasked to maintain office supplies such as bond paper to be used for the Dengvaxia cases.


“When the funds were released, it was immediately surrendered to respondent Acosta. The funds that were intended for the purchase of office supplies were never used for its intended purpose,” the complaint said.

Acosta, who has been criticizing the use of the Dengvaxia vaccine during the term of President Noynoy Aquino, was also accused of using purchase orders to be able to obtain extra funds for the agency.

ALSO READ: Bam Aquino says cousin Noy 'responsible' for Dengvaxia program

“Respondent Acosta has ordered her cohorts to edit, revise and antedate PAO’s purchase requests, purchase orders, procurement forms, memoranda, and other documentation in order to make it seem legitimate and to justify the diversion of the PAO’s budget to the Dengvaxia victims,” the complaint said.


It was also alleged that Acosta and Erfe are using PAO funds to purchase tarpaulins, t-shirts and coffins to be used in rallies.

Philippine hospitals have been overwhelmed by measles & dengue infections in 2019. (Photo: Jack Board)

There was also a “workshop” on “pending Dengvaxia cases” in June this year at the Century Park Hotel.

READ: DOH: Dengue, Now a National Emergency, cases spike to over 130K+ in 2019

“Intervenors respectfully implore the honorable office to use its power to conduct and investigation against respondents Acosta and Erfe,” the complaint said.


'Extra Funds'

In their letter to the Ombudsman, the lawyers accused PAO of deliberately overstocking on supplies to prompt the release of additional funds for the purchase of fresh stocks – but no new stocks were reportedly bought.

Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Acosta together with families of children who received the Dengvaxia vaccine. (Philstar.com/File Photo)

"The funds that were intended for the purchase of office supplies were never used for its intended purpose. (PAO) did not purchase new stock. Instead, (PAO) still rationed the excess supplies of 2017," said the letter.


"The use of purchase orders or requests is one of the schemes that respondent Acosta is able to obtain extra funds from the PAO budget," it added.

The lawyers also accused their chief of antedating and tampering with purchase requests and orders to "justify the diversion of the PAO's budget to the Dengvaxia victims."

Acosta and Erfe were also accused of manipulating PAO's data in order to get more budget.

The lawyers "implore" the Ombudsman "to use its power to conduct an investigation against respondents Acosta and Erfe."

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This article first appeared on Rappler & ABS-CBN News.