State lawyers at the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) First District Office in Meycauayan, Bulacan, were placed under investigation Thursday over a social media post detailing a client’s experience of alleged inappropriate treatment.

Deputy chief Public Attorney Ana Lisa Soriano said PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta immediately ordered an investigation into the PAO-Meycauayan personnel, including the office head.

Soriano said Rueda-Acosta understood the public’s concern and sentiments over the incident and “deeply regrets that a client experienced or perceived inappropriate treatment while seeking legal assistance at our office.”

As a result, PAO’s Legal Research Service has been directed to conduct an inquiry involving the concerned PAO-Meycauayan staff, as they were issued a notice to explain, giving them an opportunity to present their side.

In a Facebook and TikTok post, Inday Panadera Gelyn said that she went to the district office to get something when her attention was called by a supposedly PAO staff member, a female who was wearing a green dress, holding a paper with a frowning face.

Rude brutes

The PAO staff member, Gelyn said, approached an elderly man whom she appeared to be reprimanding for leaving blanks on the paper he submitted.

The man said it was because the hospital was closed; the PAO staff member quickly responded in an apparently rude tone that “the hospital was not closing; there was no hospital there” before turning away with her eyes rolling (nakairap).

Soriano said the concerned public attorneys were ordered to submit their individual explanations within 72 hours.

Due process ensured

She said the public can rest assured that due process will be respected and that a fair and orderly hearing will be conducted.       

If the person is found liable, the agency will impose appropriate administrative measures in accordance with existing rules and regulations, she added.

On the other hand, Rueda-Acosta said the agency does not condone any improper or unacceptable conduct by its lawyers and personnel toward clients. 

“We continue to uphold the importance of orderly, respectful, humane, and professional delivery of services to the public, especially to those in need of free legal aid,” Rueda-Acosta said.

She said they will continue to strive to maintain the public’s trust and to ensure that every person who seeks assistance at our offices is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.