The P19.5-million budget for the PAO Forensic Laboratory was transferred by the Senate to the National Bureau of Investigation without prior notice. #PAObudget

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) requested President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday to veto a provision in the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA) slashing the budget for its forensic laboratory division, saying that it was unconstitutional.

PAO chief Atty. Persida Acosta appealed to the President about the P19.5-million slash in their budget as it violates Article Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution.

“The deletion of the budget for the PAO Forensic Laboratory Division’s equipment, and the prohibition on the use of PAO’s MOOE (maintenance of operating expenses) for its operations — effectively intended to stop the PAO Forensic Laboratory Division’s operation, are unconstitutional,” she said in a letter to the President.

Acosta maintained that the PAO Forensic Laboratory Division was created by law as it is composed of plantilla personnel.

She likewise stressed that forensic science is necessary to get accurate evidence in presenting the cases of their clients who are poor litigants.

The P19.5-million budget for the PAO Forensic Laboratory was transferred by the Senate to the National Bureau of Investigation without prior notice, in which Acosta said conflict of interest was involved because the PAO must conduct its own forensics when law enforcers are the accused.

Meanwhile, lawyer Erwin Erfe, PAO Forensic Laboratory designated director, announced the temporary suspension of PAO’s forensic activity pending the decision of the President whether to veto or not the disputed provision in the 2020 GAA.